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JOCK,  JACK,  AND 
THE  CORPORAL 

By  Rev.  C.  C.  MARTINDALE. 

Wrapper,  3s.  6d.  net. 

“ Fr.  Martindale  has  done  a great  number  of  things 
well,  but  nothing  better  in  its  way  than  ‘Jock,  Jack, 
and  the  Corporal.’  ...  We  have  never  recommended 
a volume  with  greater  pleasure.-’ — Catholic  Book 
Notes. 

‘‘We  see  Fr.  Martindale  wrestling  with  his  invalids, 
trying  to  persuade  those  battered  warriers  that  Christ 
and  His  message  are  not  above  them  or  beyond  them, 
but  just  for  them  ; labouring  with  endless  play  of  con- 
ceit and  phrase  till  it  all  seems  one  big  joke,  and  all  the 
more  tremendous  at  that.  And  he  is  working  at  the 
reader  too,  arousing  him,  coaxing  him,  and  in  the  end 
winning  him  too.’  — Tablet. 

* 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


* 


MR* 

FRANCIS  NEWNES 


C.  C.  MARTINDALE  ^ 


f 


B0CT6S  ObitMB  BSUX- 

CHESTNUT  H^L, 


MATRE  & COMPANY 
CHICAGO 
1922 


, AflS 
m b 
i 


y 


Printed  in  Great  Britain 

t ' i 


} > f • • i' ; 

5 r r"  " 


A?  6 J 


MEDICO  DILECTO 


My  dear  dr.  counsell. 

On  the  day  which  has  brought  the  news  of  a great  sorrow 
for  us  to  share,  I have  decided  to  offer  you  this  continuation 
of  Jock * No  one  can  doubt  but  that  your  help  meant  every- 
thing to  Father  Plater  during  this  difficult  year,  and  I can  never 
feel  thankful  enough  for  having  so  obstinately  urged  you  to  take  the 
holiday  you  so  much  needed,  by  way  of  escorting  him  to  Malta* 
That  journey  has  left  you  with  many  memories  besides  its  anxious 
ones,  and  you  witnessed  the  quite  extraordinary  affection  and 
enthusiasm  which  seemed  to  spring  up  wherever  he  passed* 
Pertransiit  benefaciendo * 

On  the  way  back  you  say  you  had  Jock  for  travelling  companion ; 
you  must  detect  his  influence  throughout  this  second  volume, 
though  I seldom  name  it* 

Perhaps  you  will  say  that  Mr*  Francis  Newnes  has  caused  me  to 
fall  heavily  between  two  stools,  and  that  it  is  neither  a proper  in- 
struction book,  nor,  assuredly,  a craftsmanlike  story*  Well,  the 
two  stools  were  there;  but,  from  the  start,  I decided  not  even  to 
try  to  sit  on  either  of  them*  I assumed  deliberately  a safe  and 
humble  position  on  the  floor  between  them*  I have  meant  to  em- 
phasize some  four  points  which  were  (naturally)  not  much  insisted 
on  in  Jock,  though  even  there  you  will  find  them  sticking  out  undis- 
guised; and  I have  wanted  to  live  a little  longer  in  the  company  (for 
as  such  I feel  it)  of  people  whom  I loved*  Hence  the  story  comes 
down,  I own,  with  a thud  on  to  the  heavy  fields  of  44  instruction  ” 
at  least  four  times;  and  here  and  there  the  path  across  that  plain 


viii  MEDICO  DILECTO 


may  seem  to  become  invisible*  Still,  I trust  that  it  remains,  and 
may  be  tracked  by  an  observant  eye* 

I know,  anyhow,  that  you  won't  just  condemn  it,  spiritually,  as 
vulgarized  “ propaganda/'  nor  artistically,  as  a novel  44  with  a 
purpose*"  The  Creator  had  a purpose  in  His  great  Poem;  I have 
no  wish  to  write  just  novels;  but  neither  do  I fear  to  try  to  incarnate, 
in  a measure,  God's  Catholic  Truth* 

So  accept  it,  together  with  my  personal  gratitude  and  affection* 


Campion  Hall, 

January  24-25,  1921. 


C C*  MARTINDALE* 


P*S* — One  or  two  paragraphs  in  Chapter  III*  I have  not  altered* 
When  I read  the  MS*  to  Father  Plater,  he  laughed  over  them,  and 
would  not  have  wished  them  changed* 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


Chapter  I 


44  AND  with  that,”  said  Mrs*  Bolton,  severely,  44  I puts  my 
fork  down;  and  when  I puts  down  my  fork,  they  knows 
what  that  means*” 

She  saw  I was  about  to  speak,  and  hastily  proceeded*  44  What 
Fve  had  to  put  up  with  time  an'  time  again,  none  knows  better  than 
your  Reverence*  Never  a word  said  I when  that  Miss  Jenkins  as 
you  recommended  left  her  shoe-cream  in  a plate  by  the  fender  an' 
your  Reverence's  dog  rolled  in  it;  an'  a nice  mess  the  carpet  would 
be  in  this  very  minute  'ad  I not  brought  up  the  parlour  rug  as  was  made 
by  St*  Aloysius's  Widows  an'  put  it  over  the  place  as  you  can  see 
with  your  own  eyes,  though  not  suitable  to  a single  bed-an'-sitting 
room  I will  say*  And  never  a word  says  I when  the  theatrical  young 
lady  stood  'er  stout  bottles  all  of  a row  on  the  mantel  an'  started  to 
shoot  at  them  with  her — elastics,”  said  Mrs*  Bolton,  overcome  with 
a sudden  but  tremendous  sense  of  decorum,  44  knowin'  as  'ow  you 
wanted  to  get  her  for  the  Stage  Guild  an'  trusting  it  would  teach 
'er  better*  An'  there's  much  more  as  I've  sat  down  under  and  said 
no  word,  but  offer  a candle  regular  to  St*  Joseph  as  'ow  'e  would 
bless  the  lodgers  bein'  the  Head  of  families  an'  Patriarch  of  'omes, 
as  Father  O'Reilly  said  this  very  month  of  March*  But  when  this 
Miss  Silver,  though  not  your  Reverence's  recommendation  an'  never 
would  I suggest  it,  she  marches  into  me  own  room,  an'  me  at  supper 
an'  tired  out,  with  the  'Oly  Father  in  'er  'ands  as  Miss  Barbara 
give  me,  with  the  war  on  an'  all,  an'  says  she  won't  'ave  'im  hanging 
in  'er  room — well,  I puts  me  fork  down,  an'  the  last  straw  it  was,  I 
will  say*” 

44  But  is  she  a violent  anti-Catholic,  or  what  ?” 

Mrs*  Bolton  assumed  a shrill  voice,  and  clipped  her  words. 

44  4 Of  course,  my  dear  Mrs*  Bolton,'  sez  she,  smilin'  vinegar  at 
me, 4 it's  not  for  myself  I mind,  an'  the  pore  dear  Roman  Catholics 
J i 


2 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


are  welcome  to  tlieir  Pope  whatever  he  may  mean  to  them ' But  at 

that  I ups  an" 4 Pore  they  may  be/  says  1, 4 but  dear  I am  not.  Miss, 
nor  will  you  find  me  so  if  so  be  as  you  speak  against  the  'Oly  Father, 
an'  as  for  what  he  may  mean  to  us,  ' is  meaning's  clear  an*  definite 
enough,  an'  not  the  same  as  some / I says  with  a significant  nod  an' 
keeping  me  dignity;  4 though  1'm  not  denyin','  I says  with  a smile, 
not  wishin'  to  quarrel  nor  go  against  due  charity,  4 though  not 
denyin'  you  might  lose  your  way  in  his  holy  Palace  of  the  Vatican, 
it  havin'  one  thousand  an'  eight  hundred  rooms  (as  your  Reverence 
told  me  yourself)  an'  never  a 'ousemaid  in  it*'  " 

44  What  did  she  say  to  that  ?" 

44  Well,  she  repeats  as  'ow  it  isn't  'erself  that  minds,  but  it's  along 
of  her  friends,  they  bein'  like  to  regard  the  Pope  as  an  inkybus, 
though  what  she  meant  I know  not  an'  I care  not,  and  a raxonary 
drag  on  progress*  And  I ups  once  more  an'  4 Well,  Miss,'  I says, 

4 dash  about  you  do  and  flash  about  you  do,  and  never  will  I deny 
it;  but  Fm  not  seeing  much  progress  about  your  dashin'  and  your 
flashin',  not  with  prices  what  they  are  an'  soaring  steady*'  For  dash 
she  do,  an'  in  and  out  all  day,  and  her  friends  likewise,  these  three 
blessed  days,  not  to  mention  the  newspaper  young  men,  she  writing 
for  the  Babbacombe  Bugle , an'  signs  herself  4 Clarionette,'  as  Mr* 
Tuke  of  the  Wilchurch  Argus  told  me  hisself,  and  have  a good  laugh 
over  her  he  did  in  this  very  room*  And  twice  did  I carry  back  the 
'Oly  Father  with  me  own  hands,  and  twice  did  she  carry  him  down 
again,  and  there  you  may  see  'im  leanin'  against  the  dresser,  an* 
what  to  do  I know  not*" 

She  paused  and  folded  her  hands* 

44  Well,  anyhow,"  said  I,  44  Miss  Silver's  course  of  lectures  at  the 
Morris  Institute  only  goes  on  for  three  weeks,  I think;  and  after 
that  I've  got  a beautiful  lodger  for  you,  Mrs*  Bolton*  A Mr*  John 
Raikes;  he  was  a sergeant,  and  very  badly  wounded,  and  became 
a Catholic  in  hospital  here*  Miss  Travers  is  giving  him  a part- 
time  job  at  their  house;  and  he'll  do  some  secretarial  work  at  the 
Social  Guild,  which'll  keep  him  from  standing  up  too  much,  and 
he'll  do  odds  and  ends  for  me*  He's  a very  steady  fellow  and  a good 
Catholic,  and  you'll  like  him  and  you'll  be  sure  of  your  rent*  So 
what  do  you  say  to  that  ?" 

44  Anything  for  that  young  lady,"  she  exclaimed,  lifting  hands  and 
eyes  to  heaven,  44  anything  for  that  sweet  young  lady  most  willingly 
would  I do*  And  anything  to  oblige  your  Reverence,  it  goes  without 
saying*  And  as  for  the  pore  gentlemen  as  has  been  wounded,  there's 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


3 

nothing  I wouldn't  do  for  them  as  is  but  right  an'  proper  an'  ever 
will  be.  So  it's  thrice  grateful  an'  willing  I am  for  your  Reverence's 
kind  offer.  Though  as  for  Miss  Barbara  Travers,  who,  if  ever  a 
angel  dropped  from  heaven  she  is  him,  why  ever  she  don't  marry 
I cannot  tell,  though  the  man's  not  living  who'd  be  good  enough." 

44  I've  always  had  half  a hope  for  my  friend  Captain  Orwylstree, 
d'you  know  1 He  was  a fine  soldier,  and  he'd  give  her  a lovely 
home.  And  he's  a very  sensible  sort  of  Catholic.  You  heard  him 
make  a speech  at  our  soldiers'  club  once,  if  you  remember  !" 

44  Do  I not  I"  she  replied,  once  more  looking  heavenwards.  44  And 
God  bless  his  kind  heart,  and  wanted  to  make  me  dance  the  'Esita- 
tion  Waltz  or  some  such,  he  did,  an'  him  in  that  lovely  uniform  an' 
all.  And  a dream  of  a pair  they'd  make,  the  lambs  1" 

44  Well,  say  a Hail  Mary  it  may  happen  if  it's  meant  to." 

I rose. 

44  Many  a one  I will,"  she  promised.  44  And  if  your  Reverence 
could  but  pop  up  one  moment  to  Miss  Silver's  an*  put  in  a word  for 
the  'Oly  Father,  you  could  get  round  her  Fm  sure,  an'  the  pore 
holy  gentleman  be  in  his  proper  place  once  more.  Respectful  do 
I beg  it." 

I whistled. 

However,  after  a moment  I decided  to  try.  I wanted  to  see  Miss 
Silver.  ♦ . . 

So  I ascended,  and  timidly  knocked  at  her  door. 

44  Come  . . ♦"  called  a rather  reedy  voice. 

I entered,  and  stood  hesitating. 

44  Excuse  me,"  I said,  44  I am  a Catholic  priest,  and  Mrs. " 

44  The  Priest  ?"  she  cried,  rising.  44  But  how  too  interesting  ! 
Let  me  welcome  you.  Dare  I feel  your  coming  indicates  a — an 
Approach  ? an  Attitude  ? . . ." 

44  I'm  sure,"  said  I,  very  frightened,  44  that  I can  hardly  regard 
myself  as — er,  symbolical ♦ I merely " 

44  Oh,  but  let  me  hope  it  1"  she  interrupted.  44  An  offered  hand  ! 

A If  but  the  great  Roman  Church  would  ♦ ♦ ♦ oh ! ♦ ♦ ♦ one 

step  ! ♦ ♦ . forward  /" 

I resolved  to  alter  all  my  tactics. 

44  I knew  from  Mrs.  Bolton,"  said  I,  44  that  you  were  following 
the  lectures  on  the  Ethics  of  Hygiene  at  the  Morris  Institute,  and 
that  you  were  a stranger  in  Wilchurch;  and  I more  than  hoped  I 
might  be  able  to  be  of  a little  use  to  you.  ♦ . ." 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


4 

“ Oh  ?"  she  queried,  rather  surprised,  but  evidently  curious. 

“ Coming  as  you  do  from " suddenly  I forgot  where  Babba- 

combe  was;  I plunged  recklessly:  44  from  the  Land's  End — I keep 
longing  to  go  there — I thought  it  just  possible  you  mightn't  know 
that  the  Social  Guild  has  rather  an  important  centre  here.  We  co- 
operate a good  deal  with  the  Institute." 

44  Indeed  ?"  she  said,  more  and  more  astonished. 

“ We  had  a little  strike  here  lately,"  I went  on,  44  at  the  jam 
factory.  The  strike  was  rather  complicated,  and  involved  the  whole 
turnip  industry;  but  the  men  were  in  the  right,  and  that  was  recog- 
nized till  the  Tolstoi  Tribunal  introduced  a good  deal  of  bad  blood 
and  outside  speakers;  and  things  were  looking  ugly  till  the  Cathe- 
dral, the  Morris  Institute,  and  the  Social  Guild  went  in  a combined 
deputation  and  saw  managers  and  men  together.  Though,  I confess, 
it  was  the  personal  touch  which  smoothed  things  rather  than  argu- 
ment. The  representative  of  the  factory  and  the  leader  of  the  men 
had  both,  by  an  odd  coincidence,  forgotten  their  handkerchiefs;  and 
a priest,  who  is  a friend  of  mine,  by  extraordinary  good  luck  had  a 
clean  one,  and  lent  it  to  each  of  them.  After  that  all  went  well." 

She  actually  laughed. 

“But  how  splendid!"  she  cried.  “How  sharing!  The  true 
fraternal  touch." 

“ That  is  why,"  I went  on  hurriedly,  “ I so  much  value  getting 
into  personal  contact  with  intelligent  people  from  other  parts.  Now 
your  presence.  Miss  Silver,  is  exceptionally  fortunate.  You  come 
from  the  South,  and  we  are  a great  link  between  the  Midlands  and 
the  North.  I expect  the  social  problems  at  Babbacombe  are  rather 
— special;  but  you  know  how  important  the  North  is.  Now  we  can 
put  a whole  lot  of  unpublished  information  in  your  way.  In  fact, 
I may  say  that  since  Mrs.  Bolton  tells  me  you  represent  the  Babba- 
combe Bugle , I don't  see  why  you  shouldn't  regularly  supply  them 
with  a lot  of  unique  matter  which  they'd  never  get  otherwise." 

Her  eyes  sparkled.  Though  dishevelled,  she  looked  quite  attrac- 
tive when  sincere. 

“ I expect  we'd  be  grateful,  if  you  could  possibly  find  time," 
said  I,  “ to  look  in  at  our  Leo  Club  one  night.  Named,  of  course, 
after  Pope  Leo  XIII.  No  doubt  you  know  his  series  of  social 
encyclicals  well.  Working-men  here  are  not  so  extraordinarily 
keen  students  and  debaters  as  in  the  North,  but  they  get  a very  good 
grip  on  those  encyclicals.  Of  course,  every  Papal  pronouncement 
has  an  all  but  limitless  influence.  Come  and  join  one  of  our  dis- 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  5 

cussions.  Mr.  Burton  of  the  Morris  Institute  often  comes,  and  our 
vice-president  actually  held  a scholarship  there/' 

“ I shall  come,"  she  said,  smiling  and  holding  out  her  hand 
frankly,  “ and  listen . I thank  you  sincerely/' 

On  my  way  down  I put  my  head  in  at  the  kitchen. 

“ Don't  worry  about  that  picture,  Mrs.  Bolton,"  said  I.  44  She's 
a nice  girl,  and  she'll  put  it  back  of  her  own  accord." 

She  did. 


Chapter  II 

I WENT  straight  on  from  this  interview  to  the  Travers's,  and 
asked  for  Barbara* 

The  maid  favoured  me  with  the  information  that  she  was  out 
playing  golf  with  Captain  Blake,  whom  she  defined  as  a gentleman; 
but  otherwise  she  had  nothing  to  say  except  that  they'd  certainly 
be  in  to  tea,  so  I said  I'd  go  up  and  wait* 

I entered  the  drawing-room,  and  there,  to  my  amazement,  was 
Reggie  Orwylstree* 

44  Hullo,  Reggie,"  said  I*  44  I've  just  been  talking  about  you*" 

44  Thank  you,"  said  he, 44  for  your  kind  words*  Where's  Barbara  ?" 
“ Playing  golf,"  said  I,  “ with  Captain  Blake*" 

44  What's  he  ?"  said  Reggie* 

“ A gentleman,"  I said*  44  I'm  quoting  Elspeth,  who  vouches 
for  the  fact*" 

He  growled* 

44  They'll  be  in  to  tea,"  I hastened  to  assure  him; 44  and,  if  I may 
ask,  what  are  you  doing  here  ?" 

“ Staying  a few  days,"  said  he,  vaguely*  44  Meant  to  look  you 
up  a bit  later*" 

44  I should  hope  so*  But  why  didn't  I know  anything  about  your 
coming  ?" 

44  Only  settled  a day  or  two  ago*  Met  Barbara  in  London*  I — er, 
just  rolled  into  the  Oratory  to  see  if  there  were  any  of  the  fellows 
about  and " 

“ I trust,"  said  I,  44  you  all  had  a pleasant  and  profitable  conver- 
sation*" 

44  Oh  yes,"  said  he  serenely*  44  I saw  old  Barlow,  and  Teddy 
Fitzjames,  and  that  awful  little  blighter,  Shooten,  and  one  or  two 
others;  but  when  I was — er,  plunged  in  prayer*  someone  came  up 
and  slogged  me  over  the  head  with  a missal,  and  it  was  Barbara* 
She  insisted  on  my  coming  down  to  stay  for  a couple  of  days,  and 
I caught  an  earlier  train  than  I'd  expected,  and  here  I am*" 

44  How  nice  of  her  l" 

44  But  what  about  this  Blake  ?" 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


7 

44  He's  a young  man/'  said  I,  “ of  lofty  views,  wide  experience, 
and  prepossessing  air*" 

44  I thought  you  didn't  know  him*" 

44  I don't*  But  we  ought  to  think  him  that  till  we  know  the  con- 
trary, especially  since  he's  playing  golf  with  Barbara*" 

But  at  this  moment  Barbara  came  in,  followed  by  a pleasant  youth 
whom  I'd  not  seen  before* 

She  welcomed  Reggie,  said  she  was  glad  he'd  managed  to  come 
early,  that  she  was  sorry  she'd  been  out,  and  introduced  Captain 
Blake* 

The  two  young  men  grunted  at  each  other,  and  remained  like 
highly-dignified  icebergs  which  had  happened  to  collide,  but  never 
intended  to  let  it  occur  again* 

Tea  appeared* 

44  You  know,  it  was  such  luck  my  meeting  Reggie,"  said  Barbara, 

as  she  poured  out*  44  I was  saying  my  prayers  in  the  Oratory " 

“ When  he  came  up  and  hit  you  over  the  head  with  a missal,"  I 
murmured* 

44  He  did  no  such  thing  I"  she  indignantly  cried*  44  But  I heard 
someone  coughing  and  growling  so  desperately  behind  me,  that  I 
had  to  look  round,  and  there  was  Reggie*" 

44  And  you  asked  him  down  ?" 

“ Well,  he  said  he  was  running  down  to  see  you,"  she  said, 44  and 
wondered  if  we  could  put  him  up*" 

44  How  nice  of  him !"  said  I,  contemplating  Reginald*  44  But  why 
on  earth,"  I added,  “ people  should  come  by  earlier  trains  than  they 
arrange,  I can't  imagine*" 

44  How  rude  you  are  l"  she  cried*  44  To  see  some  more  of  me,  of 
course*" 

“ I only  said  that  to  give  him  the  chance  of  saying  so  himself," 
said  I;  44  but,"  I continued  to  Captain  Blake,  44  Captain  Orwylstree 
cherishes  such  a devotion  to  the  exact  truth  that- — 

“ Here  I say  you  know  by  Jove  l"  ejaculated  Reggie,  all  in  a 
breath. 

But  at  this  moment  old  Mr*  Travers  came  in,  and  saved  the 
situation,  which  was  beginning  to  bewilder  Captain  Blake* 

I told  him  I had  been  getting  a room  for  Sergeant  Raikes,  and 
how  relieved  I was  he  v/as  equipped  with  a job*  It  was  a desperate 
business;  even  Wilchurch  was  full  of  out-of-works;  and  when  men 
like  Raikes,  who  could  never  really  do  a full  day,  were  out  of  luck, 
getting  in  again  seemed  really  at  times  impossible* 


8 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


44  So  the  present  arrangement/'  said  I,  44  is  ideal/' 

44  I'm  getting  an  old  fellow/'  said  he,  44  and  a drag  on  Barbara. 
We  need  a man  in  the  house,  and  he  and  Elspeth  and  old  Mrs. 
Evans  ought  to  do  the  work  well,  and  yet  not  have  too  much  of  it." 

44  Have  you  heard  of  any  of  the  others  ?"  asked  Barbara. 

44  Well,  Hallinan's  gone  home  to  Australia,  as  you  know;  as  for 
the  Corporal,  I've  not  had  a letter  from  him  for  ages;  but  he  hates 
writing,  anyhow.  The  last  I heard  of  him  he  was  a sort  of  porter 
in  a cinema,  but  he  won't  do  that  long.  His  ideal  is  a pub." 

I mentioned  one  or  two  other  names.  But  the  whole  subject  of 
jobs  was  apt  to  make  me  despondent. 

44  It's  no  consolation,"  said  Mr.  Travers, 44  to  be  told  the  country's 
out  of  gear,  and  can't  help  being  so  for  some  time  yet.  As  things  go, 
I don't  see  how  it's  to  get  in  gear  again." 

44  You're  a pessimist,  sir,"  said  Reggie. 

44  I'm  old,  and  I don't  want  revolutions,  but  I shouldn't  like  to  see 
it  in  the  old  sort  of  gear  again.  But  I can't  see  that  all  these  gentle- 
men who  talk  about  reconstruction  have  got  so  much  as  a real 
principle  between  them.  Least  of  all  the  Cathedral,  though  the 
Dean's  a man  of  good  will;  in  fact,  they  mostly  are." 

44  What  about  the  Morris  Institute  ?"  I asked. 

44  I don't  like  it,"  he  said.  44  Frankly,  I don't.  But  you  know 
more  about  it  than  I do.  No.  We  look  to  the  Guild,  Father  ! 
The  country'll  never  prosper  till  it  gets  God  back." 

Captain  Blake  looked  so  aghast  at  the  mention  of  God  in  a drawing- 
room that  it  became  clear  he  wasn't  a Catholic. 

I shifted  across  and  sat  down  next  to  him. 

44  Are  you  billeted  in  Wilchurch  ?"  I said.  44  Or  d'you  live 
here  ? I'm  afraid  I practically  know  no  one  in  the  town." 

44  We  live  at  Hanton,"  he  said.  44  But  I've  got  a job  on  this 
unemployment  stunt  at  the  Town  Hall.  It's  the  Government 
department.  Nothing  directly  to  do  with  the  army.  But  most  of 
the  pensioners  still  in  hospital  come  through  my  hands.  So  if  you're 
interested  in  that  sort  of  thing  I might  be  of  some  use." 

He  spoke  rather  stiffly,  but  was  polite. 

44  I'm  delighted  to  hear  it,"  I said.  44  It'll  probably  be  a great 
help.  D'you  find  the  men  know  what  they  want  ?" 

44  A minority  does,"  he  said.  44  Most  of  'em  have  no  idea  where 
they  are.  A lot,  especially  from  hospital,  of  course,  can't  go  back 
to  their  old  sort  of  job,  d'you  see,  and  ten  to  one  when  you've  got 
'em  a billet  they  won't  stick  to  it." 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


9 


“ Restless  ?" 

44  That's  right.  After-war  nerves.  Can't  settle  down." 

44  But  they'd  like  to,  d'you  think  ? I mean,  they've  got  the  idea 
of  working  ♦ . . ?" 

“ They're  like  most  of  us,"  said  he,  with  a short  laugh.  44  Got 
to  do  something,  but  want  to  do  as  little  as  possible  for  as  much  as 
possible.  Don't  blame  'em.  But  lots  of  them  can  go  on  strike, 
lucky  devils;  we  can't !" 

44  You  don't  think  they  combine  the  notions  of  fair  pay  and  fair 
work  ?" 

44  Tell  you  the  truth,"  said  he,  44  human  nature's  the  same 
everywhere.  Get  all  you  can,  and  have  a good  time  while  you've 
got  it." 

“ Well,  perhaps  I believe  more  in  human  nature  than  that.  As 
Mr.  Travers  says,  human  nature  needs  principles  to  govern  itself 
with;  but  it's  good  stuff  in  itself  !" 

44  Oh,  it's  all  right,  I expect,"  said  he,  vaguely. 

“ It's  magnificent  stuff,"  I said,  more  emphatically;  “ and  even 
if  they  do  try  to  get  what  they  can,  they  haven't  got  a lot,  anyway, 
and  they  help  one  another  out  of  it  more  than — well,  most  of  us. 
On  the  whole,  there's  more  sharing,"  said  I,  thinking  of  Miss  Silver, 
44  among  the  folks  who've  not  got  much  to  share,  than  among  the 
moneyed  classes." 

44  He's  a frightful  socialist,"  said  Barbara. 

44  Beneath  his  meek  and  mild  exterior,"  said  Reggie,  at  a great 
pace,  and  fully  determined  to  pay  me  out  at  all  costs, 44  he  conceals 
the  most  red  and  revolutionary  sentiments." 

44  No  but  I say  look  here  by  Jove  1"  said  I,  and  Captain  Blake 
gasped. 

“ Anyway,  let's  meet,"  I went  on.  “ You  might  come  round 
sometime  and  have  a bad  cigarette.  I want  to  know  how  the  Town 
Hall  stunt  really  works." 

44  Thanks  very  much,"  said  he.  44  Miss  Travers  has  very  kindly 
asked  me  to  look  in  whenever  I like,  and  I hope  to  be  round  a lot." 

" What  the  Corporal  wants,"  said  Barbara,  at  the  most  amazing 
tangent,  44  is  to  marry.  A Catholic  girl.  That  would  be  a mixed 
marriage  one  really  could  approve  of." 

Everyone  looked  rather  blank. 

44 1 mean,"  she  said,  44  a good  Catholic  girl  would  keep  him  in 
order;  and  he's  such  a nice  man  that  he'd  never  break  the  promises, 
and  he'd  probably  end  happily  himself." 


10  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  I've  known  very  few  mixed  marriages/'  said  her  father,  “ that 
have  worked  out  well." 

44  I hate  'em,"  said  Reggie,  with  emphasis. 

Then  he  felt  awkward,  because  of  Captain  Blake. 

“ Mind  you,"  said  he  to  him,  “ I'm  not  saying  a word  against — 
er,  anybody;  but — well.  I'm  sure  you'll  agree  with  me  that  it's  very 
much  better  that — well,  it's  pretty  awful  if  the  parents  don't  agree 
about  the  things  that  really  matter,  y'know;  and  then  the  kiddies 
and — well,  there  you  are,  y'know,"  he  broke  off  rather  abruptly. 

44  Still,"  said  Captain  Blake,  feeling  rather  at  a loss,  “ I suppose 
both  sides  would — I mean  there'd  be  give  and  take,  wouldn't  there  ? 
and  you  could  agree  not  to  mention  religion.  . ♦ ." 

4*  You  could ,"  said  Reggie,  so  grimly  that  Barbara  laughed  and 
went  off  at  another  tangent  so  successfully  that  I renewed  my 
homage  to  her  calm  skill  and  talked  about  nothing  in  particular  till 
Blake  got  up  to  go. 

I got  up  with  him. 

“ Are  you  going  back  to  the  Town  Hall  ?"  I asked.  44  Because  if 
so  we  might  go  together  as  far  as  Curfew  Corner,  and  I can  show  you 
how  to  get  to  our  house." 

44  Thanks  very  much,"  said  he,  and  we  went  out. 

“ How  did  you  meet  the  Travers's  ?"  I asked,  when  we  got 
outside. 

“ Playing  golf,"  said  he.  44  Miss  Travers  was  there  with  a fellow 
I knew  and  his  sister,  and  they  suggested  a foursome.  D'you  know 
them  well  ?" 

44  Her  brother  was  a great  friend  of  mine:  he  got  killed  quite 
early  on." 

44  Fine  chap,  from  all  accounts." 

“ One  of  the  best,"  I said, 44  and  the  best  of  those." 

44  They  were  always  the  ones  to  get  knocked  out." 

“ He  was  a little  like  Captain  Orwylstree;  but  a bit  more  brilliant. 
I don't  mean  clever,  exactly,  though  they  are  a clever  family.  But 
— radiant,  somehow  ♦ . ♦ In  sidera  sidereus . . . ." 

44  That  their  motto  ?" 

“ No.  But  it  might  have  been  his.  . . . Anyhow,  how  d'you 
like  Orwylstree  ?" 

44  Bit  of  a fanatic,  isn't  he  ?" 

44  A fanatic  ?"  I laughed.  44  It's  the  first  time  I've  heard  him 
called  that.  What  makes  you  think  so  ?" 

“ Well,  he  sort  of  lashed  out  about  marriages.  But  I suppose  I 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  n 

can't  expect  you  to  agree  with  me,  padre  ! Still,  Miss  Travers  did 
give  him  a bit  of  a snub,  what  ?" 

44  A snub  ?" 

44  Changed  the  subject  rather  abruptly,  didn't  she  ?" 

44  Oh  well,  that  might  have  been  for  your  sake." 

44  My  sake  ?" 

44  Well,  there's  no  obligation  on  you  to  think  the  same  as  we  do 
about  mixed  marriages." 

44  But  I suppose  even  R.C.'s  aren't  all  the  same  way  of  thinking 
about  that  sort  of  thing  ?" 

44  When  it's  a question  of  faith,  we  don't  have  personal  opinions 
at  all.  We  believe,  and  we  all  believe  exactly  the  same  thing.  In 
a question  like  mixed  marriages  we  all  know  they're  allowed,  but  in 
that  house  you  won't  find  anyone  that  likes  them." 

44  I should  think  Miss  Travers  was  pretty  broad-minded  ?" 

44  She  is;  but  not  lax-minded.  And  if  you  ask  me,  I think  she 
expected  she'd  conveyed  to  you  her  views  on  mixed  marriages  a 
moment  before." 

I was  rather  alarmed  at  saying  this,  because  all  things  considered, 
it  was  rather  cheek.  Still,  I thought  that  as  he  clearly  hadn't  taken 
her  hint,  he  might  take  mine. 

However,  we'd  reached  the  corner. 

44  Look  here,  padre,"  said  he.  44  I can  take  you  at  your  word, 
can  I,  and  come  round  some  evening  ? There  might  be  one  or  two 
things  I'd  like  to  ask  you  about." 

44  Of  course,"  said  I.  44  Send  a postcard  a day  or  two  ahead,  that's 
all.  And  don't  think  Reggie  Orwylstree's  a fanatic.  He's  quite  a 
good  sort,  really." 

44  Right-o,"  he  said;  and  we  parted. 


Chapter  III 

THE  very  next  night  I called  on  Miss  Silver  to  escort  her  round 
to  the  Leo  Club,  where  a meeting  was  to  take  place  which  I 
was  sure  would  interest  her* 

She  was  very  excited,  and  foresaw  good  copy  for  the  Bugle. 

44  I shall  be  very  shy  ! " she  exclaimed,  as  we  proceeded*  “ I 
shall  be  quite  terrified  ! I've  never  had  anything  to  do  with  your 
people,  you  know;  and  two  girls  from  Hereford  who  came  to  cocoa 
last  night  were  quite  furious  with  me  for  consenting  to  come  at  all, 
because  they're  sure  you're  so  dreadfully  reactionary  and  they're 
convinced  I shall  fall  a victim  to  the  glamour  of  Rome*" 

44  There  isn't  much  glamour  about  the  Leo  Club,"  said  I* 

44  That's  just  it  l It's  all  so  terribly  puzzling*  They  say  it  all 
looks  so  simple  and  above-board,  and  all  the  while  there's  something 
underneath  which  captures  you  before  you  know  where  you  are  1 
They  say  Roman  priests  are  so  plausible — oh  dear  ! I quite  forgot 
I was  talking  to  you  /" 

44  Never  mind,"  said  I*  44  I'm  quite  used  to  it*  But  if  only 
people  wouldn't  suppose  priests  to  be  benighted  idiots  and  also  the 
subtlest  of  diplomats,  it  would  simplify  matters*  I'm  always  sorry 
for  folks  who  have  to  imagine  that  the  Church  is  such  a lot  of  con- 
tradictory things*" 

44  Well,  anyhow.  I'm  sure  you'll  not  ask  me  to  do  anything  I 
oughtn't  to*  You  know  I've  never  even  seen  your  ceremonies,  and 
I shan't  know  how  to  behave  ! You  know  I couldn't  take  holy 
water  ! It  wouldn't  be — true  l" 

44  The  nearest  you'll  get,"  said  I,  “ to  holy  water  will  be  highly 
respectable  tea*  If  they  don't  forget  to  make  it*  And  for  your 
bread  of  iniquity,  biscuits,  perhaps,  with  luck*" 

44  Oh,  are  you  so  condescending  to  human  frailty  as  to  have  tea  ? 
How  splendid  ! I'm  sure  we  shall  make  friends  over  tea*" 

“ Listen,"  I said*  " I'll  tell  you  who'll  be  there*  There'll  be 
Father  Fawkham*  He's  a sort  of  chaplain  for  the  whole  thing  here* 
He  knows  a lot  about  it*  It's  not  my  department  at  all,  really, 

12 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  13 

though  it  stands  to  reason  I see  how  deadly  important  it  is,  and  Fm 
all  for  it.  Then  there'll  be  Mr.  Winterton,  who's  the  lay  head  of 
this  particular  branch;  and  Mr.  O'Hara,  that's  the  secretary;  and 
we've  got  two  men  staying  with  us  from  High  Green  in  Lancashire, 
who'll  contribute  no  end  of  solid  sense  and  energy;  and " 

44  Will  they  all  be  men  ?"  she  asked  anxiously. 

44  Well,  I expect  there'll  be  Miss  Longfield  and  Mrs.  Ash,  of  the 
Catholic  Women's  League,  and  probably  Miss  Poole,  who's  a very 
well-known  school-teacher  here — in  fact,  she  represents  the  women 
teachers  on  all  educational  things  in  Wilchurch.  . . ." 

44  But  I thought  Roman  Catholics  took  no  interest  in  education  1" 

I remained  silent. 

44  And  there  are  Catholic  Feminists  ?"  she  enquired  in  quite  a 
deprecating  voice. 

44 1 will  show  you  a small  textbook — at  least,  it  serves  very  well 
as  a textbook,  called  Christian  Feminism said  I.  44  It's  true  that 
in  some  ways  Catholic  Feminism  doesn't  flourish,  or  hasn't  till 
lately,  as  well  as  it  did  in  the  thirteenth  century " 

44  The  dear  quaint  Middle  Ages  !"  she  exclaimed.  44  Of  course, 
you'd  be  able  to  tell  me  about  them.  But " 

44 1 will”  said  I.  44  Make  no  mistake  about  it.  Where  d'you 
put  the  date  of  the  Renaissance  ?" 

44  Ah  l"  she  said,  44  the  Renaissance,"  and  she  looked  yearningly 
before  her.  But  all  she  saw  were  the  v/indows  of  the  6Jd.  bazaar, 
and  they  failed  to  inspire  either  her  or  me.  So  I broke  off. 

44  I'll  just  tell  you  in  a few  words,"  said  1, 44  what's  going  to  happen 
to-night.  For  some  time  we've  had  here  in  Leo  House  what  we 
call  preliminary  study-classes.  No  doubt  you'll  hear  a sort  of 
account  of  what  they've  achieved.  But  now  we  are  inaugurating  a 
proper  Study-Circle,  or  Club,  as  it's  called." 

44  Oh,  I know  all  about  those,"  she  interrupted.  44  We  have  one 
in  Bidmoor,  where  I live.  In  fact,  I think  I was  partly  responsible 
in  getting  it  up.  I love  to  hope  . ♦ ."  she  again  peered  wistfully 
into  the  gloom.  But  this  time  she  only  saw  the  Conservative  Club, 
with  Canon  Chawner  and  Colonel  Warbur ton-Smith  seated  near 
the  window,  and  this  again  disheartened  her. 

44  May  I ask  how  you  work  it  ?"  I said. 

44  Well,  of  course,  we  meet " she  began. 

44  Who's  we  ?" 

44  Oh,  a little  group . People  who  think — who  feel  there's  so  much 
to  do.  . . ." 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


i4 

“ Yes;  but  all  educated  people  ?" 

She  hesitated  a little. 

“ Well,  we're  most  anxious  to  have  the  workers,  of  course  ! We 
feel  we  aren't  complete  without  them.  I'm  always  urging  it.  But 
it's  so  difficult  1 Sometimes  we've  had  one  or  two;  but  they  don't 
stick  to  it;  and  they're  so  hard  to  elevate . We  talk  to  them,  of 
course " 

44  Ah.  Yes.  What  about  ?" 

44  Well,  we  have  one  member  who's  very  well  up  in  all  modern 
problems;  and  he  reads  papers  on  alcohol  and  eugenics  and  so  on, 
and  it's  most  instructive  and  valuable.  But  I daresay  most  of  us 
find  it  hard  to  keep  abreast,  though  we  try,  and  read  and  discuss.  . . . 
But  we  do  seek  to  introduce  a little  colour  into  those  grey  lives,  a little 
sense  of  the  Divine  . . . the  Beyond.  Dante  1 Athens  ! Old 
legends  from  Egypt  and  the  East  ...  all  that  can  show  the  Spirit 
of  Man  struggling  and  striving  and  reaching  ever  upwards.  ♦ . 

44  In  short,"  I said,  44  you  form  a group  that  has  lectures,  I sup- 
pose; and  from  time  to  time  debates  ?" 

44  Oh  yes;  debates,  of  course.  We  had  a splendid  one  last  session 
on — Which  came  first.  Thought  or  Language  ?" 

44  Which  did  you  decide  ?" 

44  Oh,  language,  of  course ♦ . ♦ . And  we  know  all  about  Evolu- 
tion, I needn't  say." 

44  Lucky  people.  But  I'd  like  to  say  at  once  our  Study  Clubs 
are  not , first.  Lecture  Clubs.  Not  even  clubs  where  courses  of 
lectures  are  given;  still  less  isolated  lectures,  Dante,  Evolution,  and 
so  on.  Not  even  clubs,  where  the  lectures  are  given  by  the  members 
themselves;  still  less  clubs  where  they're  just  talked  to ♦ Nor  yet 
debating  clubs,  nor  yet  what  they  call  Instruction  Classes,  which  the 
Cathedral's  very  keen  on  here.  The  Cathedral  Clergy  take  a book 
and  read  it  aloud  to  their  audience  and  sometimes  discuss  what 
they've  read  after  the  tea-interval.  ...  All  these  things  are  ex- 
cellent, no  doubt;  in  fact,  they  all  exist  in  our  Catholic  parish  here; 
but  they  aren't  what  we  mean  by  Study  Clubs' ' 

44  But  what  are  they,  then  ?" 

44 1 expect  you'll  hear  it  put  pretty  plainly  to-night.  Anyway, 
we'll  be  there  in  a minute." 

We  ascended  the  spiral  staircase  of  the  4 oldest  house  in  Wilchurch,' 
and  entered  the  circular  room  where  we  had  our  meetings.  The 
building  was  really  part  of  an  old  tower-chapel  which  joined  on  to 
the  city  walls,  and  for  the  time  being  we  occupied  it.  Above  this 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  15 

room  was  the  library,  and  a sort  of  reading-room,  and  the  C*S*G* 
offices* 

Except  for  a crucifix  and  a very  old  stone  statue  of  Our  Lady, 
and  a portrait  of  Leo  XIII*,  the  room  was  unadorned;  not  more  than 
a dozen  persons  were  present;  the  only  lady,  after  all,  was  Mrs* 
Ash*  I rapidly  introduced  Miss  Silver,  and  Mrs*  Ash,  true  to  her 
sex's  power  of  intuition,  instantly  grasped  the  situation*  She 
executed  a sort  of  mental  enveloping  movement,  so  that  Miss  Silver, 
while  being  made  to  feel  quite  happy  and  at  home,  also  began  to 
feel  like  a little  school-girl,  and  sat  as  still  as  a mouse*  A contented 
school-girl ! Happy  Miss  Silver  ! I had  always  admired  Mrs*  Ash* 

After  the  preliminary  odds  and  ends  of  business,  Mr*  Winterton 
made  a statement*  The  study-class  which  had  existed  now  for 
five  years  was  still  to  exist;  but  something  more  was  needed  if  Wil- 
church  Catholics  were  to  be  able  to  hold  their  own,  and  more  than 
that,  to  lead  in  local  affairs*  The  class  had  followed  the  usual 
procedure*  It  had  taken  for  its  last  textbook  Christian  Citizenship , 
and  the  four  chapters  had  provided  material  for  no  less  than  sixteen 
lessons*  The  director,  whose  role  had  usually  been  filled  by  Father 
Fawkham,  had  first  read  out  as  much  of  each  chapter — sometimes 
no  more  than  one  section — as  he  thought  the  class  could  assimilate; 
explained  its  more  important  points,  and  was  then  questioned  by 
the  class,  which  numbered  about  fifteen  or  eighteen  members* 
During  the  following  week  the  members  discussed  or  thought  about 
what  they  had  heard,  and  arrived  primed  with  further  questions  at 
the  next  meeting*  There  had  been  three  outside  lecturers,  and 
one  lecture  from  the  Director  himself*  The  choice  of  the  outside 
speakers  had  been  rather  bold*  The  class  had  invited  Canon 
Peabody,  a well-known  Greek  scholar,  to  describe  the  main  lines 
followed  by  Greek  civilization;  Professor  Burden  had  explained  the 
chief  contributions  made  by  the  Roman  Empire  towards  the  creation 
of  Europe;  and  no  less  a person  than  the  Rabbi  of  the  Peckley 
Synagogue  had  given  the  Jewish  view  of  the  structure  of  Old  Testa- 
ment life*  A vigorous  discussion  followed  each  of  these  lectures, 
especially  the  last*  Father  Fawkham's  lecture  showed  how  modern 
civilization  was  unintelligible  apart  from  a general  knowledge  of 
these  ancient  civilizations,  the  Hebrew,  the  Greek,  and  the  Roman, 
without  which  it  would  never  be  existing  at  all*  No  more  was 
aimed  at  than  a bird's-eye  view;  but  it  was  wished  to  enlarge  horizons, 
to  enrich  imaginations,  to  unparochialize  the  ideas  of  the  students, 
and  to  show  them  how  much  deeper  the  roots  of  modern  problems 


16  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

struck  than  into  merely  modern  soil.  Besides  this,  the  class  had 
made  a tour  of  Wilchurch  under  the  care  of  the  Dean  of  the  Cathe- 
dral, and  Miss  Imelda  Smith  had  afterwards  written  an  essay,  showing 
the  social  bearing  of  many  of  the  facts  the  Dean  had  told  them  about 
the  ancient  buildings,  monastic  and  educational,  of  the  place.  So 
good  work  had  been  done.  But  though  the  class  was  to  continue, 
it  was  felt  that  a more  complete  and  scientific  study  of  narrower 
problems  must  be  made  possible  for  a smaller  group  who  should  have 
both  time  and  wish  to  apply  their  brains  to  them;  and  that  was  why 
a Study  Club  was  to  be  inaugurated.  Since  the  idea  was  new  to 
Wilchurch  he  asked  Father  Fawkham  to  explain  what  had  been 
done  elsewhere. 

44  But  this  is  frightfully  serious/'  whispered  Miss  Silver. 

u Of  course,"  said  I.  44  So's  life,"  I added  sententiously. 

She  sighed. 

44  It  makes  me  feel  so  terribly  amateur  I" 

“ We  ail  started  as  amateurs.  I'm  nothing  else  now.  But  these 
northerners  aren't.  And  the  Study-Club  won't  be.  Father  Fawk- 
ham's  beginning.  . . ." 

44  We've  done  very  well,  so  far,"  said  Father  Fawkham  rapidly. 
“ We've  got  to  do  better  still.  We're  going  to  try  to  be  as  good  at 
Wilchurch  as  they  are  at  Preston  and  Rochdale  and  Oldham.  We're 
going  to  get  a move  on  right  now.  A study  club  has  been  suggested, 
and  we  mean  to  have  it.  Mr.  Holden  from  High  Green  will  probably 
have  something  to  tell  us  of  what  they're  doing  there.  Mr.  Holden,  as 
you  know,  is  a real  live  wire,  and  we  want  to  get  some  of  his  current 
through  to  zzs." 

At  this  point  the  bull-dog,  who  always  attended  these  meetings, 
snapped  at  a moth. 

44  Be  quiet.  Bill,"  said  Father  Fawkham.  44  But  I expect  that's 
a hint  to  us  to  get  to  business.  And  we're  only  a few  here,  but  that's 
as  it  should  be.  A Study  Club  ought  to  be  a few  only.  Sound 
brains,  real  keenness,  and  above  all,  perseverance  is  what's  needed. 
Sound  brains,  because  we  don't  want  brilliance  or  epigram,  but  we 
do  want  solid  intelligent  work.  However,  more  people  can  do  that 
than  think  they  can.  Keenness  means  that  members  will  give  a 
good  deal  of  time,  even  after  their  hard  day's  work,  to  the  business 
of  the  club.  And  perseverance,  because  there  are  bound  to  be  dull 
tracts.  Heavy  going.  Statistics  aren't  romantic,  and  there'll  be 
plenty  of  them.  Now,  lots  of  men  with  excellent  heads  and  plenty 
of  keenness  still  can't  afford  the  time  or  are  honestly  too  tired  at 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


17 


the  end  of  the  day,  to  come  here  or  to  write  essays  at  home.  So 
it's  no  reproach  to  them  if  they  don't  belong.  They'll  come  to  the 
class.  They'll  go  to  the  Lectures  and  Debates  at  the  Parish  Hall. 
They'll  belong  to  the  C.Y.M.S.  or  the  S.V.P.  and  do  good  work 
there.  But  in  the  club  we  want  regular  attendance  and  the  other 
qualifications  I've  mentioned.  So  we're  starting  with  seven:  Mr. 
Winterton,  Mr.  O'Hara,  Mr.  Edward  Jones,  and  Mr.  John  Jones, 
Mrs.  Ash,  and  Miss  Longfield,  and  Mr.  Atherton,  though  he's  not 
yet  a Catholic.  Now,  in  this  town  it's  really  wages  that  are  the  most 
pressing  problem;  that  and  housing.  On  the  whole,  I think  we 
can  manage  a successful  attack  on  both  these  problems  this  session 
and  next.  For  textbooks  we  propose  to  have  J.  A.  Ryan's  Living 
Wage  to  start  with;  and,"  said  he  for  the  sake  of  Miss  Silver,  whose 
presence  he  intermittently  remembered,  “ a list  of  books  on  the 
subject,  with  a brief  criticism  pointing  out  their  leading  points  and 
main  defects  will  be  posted  on  the  notice-board,  and  all  of  them  can 
be  consulted  in  the  library  upstairs.  I should  like  to  make  it  clear 
that  I'm  not  springing  these  topics,  out  of  the  many  possible  ones, 
upon  our  members,  because  we've  discussed  this  club  very  thor- 
oughly together,  haven't  we  ? and  this  really  is  an  inauguration  and 
not  just  one  more  preliminary  meeting.  Very  well.  Next  week 
we  start  on  Ryan.  Mr.  O'Hara  will  read  a section,  which  we  shall 
discuss,  taking  principles  rather  than  details,  and  certain  questions 
will  be  set,  to  which  every  member  has  to  write  answers  during  the 
week . Now,  that's  never  got  to  be  left  out.  This  is  where  the  perse- 
verance comes  in.  A question  needn't  be  answered  at  great  length; 
a quite  short  answer,  even  a line  or  two,  will  do;  but  there  must  he 
an  answer.  Just  one  point  to  be  made  clear  right  now.  Never  put 
down  one  word  you  aren't  sure  you  mean.  No  talk . No  frills. 
Hard  business  every  time.  If  you  don't  know  what  to  say,  say  that. 
Sooner  than  have  to  say  that,  you'll  hunt  up  some  member  of  the 
club  and  thrash  it  out  with  him  before  the  next  meeting.  If  your 
opinion  doesn't  coincide  with  his,  so  much  the  better.  If  we  all 
agree,  we'll  have  no  discussion.  And  you'll  probably  find  your 
practical  opinions  differ  because  you  aren't  clear  about  your  prin- 
ciples. Very  well.  At  the  next  meeting  the  answers  are  read  out. 
Since  we're  so  few,  we  shall  probably  all  have  time  to  read  our 
answers.  If  we  haven't,  we'll  take  turns  or  postpone  the  reading 
of  the  others  till  next  time.  It's  often  a very  good  thing  to  come 
back  a step  or  two,  and  see  what  we  think  of  our  answers  a time  or 
two  ago,  after  we've  studied  a bit  farther.  So  keep  your  answers. 

2 


i8 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


Have  a regular  connected  set  of  documents  at  the  end  of  the  course. 
Then  re-read  them  and  see  how  you've  developed.  I daresay  if  Mr. 
Winterton  has  time  he'd  be  willing  to  take  the  papers  home  and 
mark  'em.  I may  say  we're  very  lucky  to  have  Mr.  Winterton  for 
leader  of  our  club.  You  know  him,  and  you  know  he  knows  his 
job.  He  won't  do  all  the  talking  by  any  means.  He'll  direct  our 
talking.  He'll  add  evidence  from  other  quarters  to  what  we  can 
pick  up,  and  he'll  illustrate  conditions  in  Wilchurch  by  conditions 
elsewhere.  On  and  off  we'll  have  special  stunts.  I may  say  that 
we'll  be  on  delicate  ground,  because  a lot  of  important  people  in 
this  town  aren't  likely  to  see  eye  to  eye  with  us  in  all  our  conclusions* 
But  we've  got  good  backers.  The  Dean  of  the  Cathedral  is  very 
sympathetic,  and  you  probably  know  that  one  of  the  Cathedral 
choristers  has  written  an  excellent  little  monograph  on  the  jam 
industry,  started  by  the  late  Mayor,  you  know.  He  wrote  it  imme- 
diately under  the  Dean's  protection.  It  made  rather  a sensation, 
especially  when  the  Sunday  after  its  publication  there  was  a Cathedral 
anthem  which  said : 4 In  our  gates  is  every  kind  of  apple,  new  and 
old.  . . .'  and  the  author  had  to  sing  the  solo.  The  Mayor's  three 
nieces  became  High  Church  on  the  strength  of  it,  and  attend  St. 
Titus's  ever  since,  though  they  always  used  to  turn  up  their  noses 
at  incense.  . . ♦" 

“'So  would  anyone,"  said  Mrs.  Ash,  who  was  a convert, 44  at  that 
incense.  ♦ . ." 

This  broke  up  the  meeting  for  a while,  and  to  her  regret  Mrs. 
Ash  departed,  having  an  appointment.  This  left  Miss  Silver  the 
only  lady  present,  and  she  was  unanimously  elected  to  make  the 
tea,  which  she  did  with  much  eclat,  heating  the  tea-pot  first, 
which  we  should  never  have  remembered  to  do,  and  altogether 
coming  in  for  a lot  of  attention,  which  cheered  her  rather  drooping 
spirits. 

After  the  tea  Father  Fawkham  asked  Mr.  Holden  to  speak.  He 
stood  up,  squared  his  shoulders  and  began: 

44  Reverend  Fathers,  Lady  and  Gentlemen  " (Miss  Silver  quivered 
all  over  with  delight), 44  Mr.  Winterton  has  told  us  about  the  study- 
class  you've  been  having,  and  Father  Fawkham  has  told  us  about 
the  study-circle  you're  going  to  have,  and  it  was  grand  to  hear  what 
you've  done  and  what  you  hope  to  do,  and  may  you  do  it.  But  I've 
a word  I want  to  say  upon  this  subject,  and  this  is  it.  The  study- 
class  had  for  its  textbook  Christian  Citizenship ♦ That  means  it 
believes  in  Jesus  Christ,  and,  of  course,  it  does;  so  do  all  of  us,  those 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  19 

that's  here*  And  the  study-club  is  going  to  discuss  wages  and 
housing,  and  from  what  I know  of  the  way  discussions  on  those 
subjects  go  you'll  be  talking  of  the  right  given  to  all  men  by  God 
to  lead  a decent  life  in  decent  surroundings*  That  means  you  believe 
in  God  and  you  intend  to  examine  what's  God's  views  are  on  wages ; 
what  God's  got  to  say  on  housing*  Well,  you'll  come  to  certain 
conclusions,  and  unless  you  want  to  remain  shut  up  in  this  ancient 
old  tower,  you've  got  to  go  out  to  Wilchurch  an'  say:  * This  is  what 
we  think  right  and  wrong  on  these  subjects,  and  this  is  what  we 
consider  is  God's  law  on  the  matter,  and  this  is  what  we  ought  to  do 
as  Christians*'  Now,  ladies  and  gentlemen,"  said  he,  warming  to 
it,  44  that's  all  very  well  for  the  Dean  and  his  young  choristers  and 
the  ladies  of  St*  Titus's  and  the  respectable  folk  of  this  old  town,  and 
the  steady,  chapel-going  folks  and  the  people  who  get  their  names 
down  as  patrons  of  your  concerts  and  your  theatricals  and  your 
hospital-fetes  and  what  not*  They're  all  Christians,  or  think  they 
are*  They  all  believe  in  God,  or  say  they  do*  But  whether  they 
really  do  or  don't — and  there's  a big  query  mark  to  that,  if  you  ask 
my  opinion — I'll  lay  you  what  money  you  like  that  the  majority 
of  the  folks  that  gets  the  wages  and  has  to  live  in  the  houses  don't; 
and  them  as  gets  at  them  don't,  not  even  theoretically*  Who  do  I 
mean  ? Why,  the  Tolstoi  Tribunal  that  I've  been  visiting;  and  the 
most  at  the  Morris  Institute,  as  Mr*  Winterton'll  be  the  first  to 
acknowledge;  and  now  I'll  go  back  and  say  right  out  that  the  Church 
folks  and  the  concert  patrons  don't  either,  the  most  often,  let  them 
say  what  they  will,  and  even  think  it*  But  I'm  not  talking  about 
them  so  much  as  the  real  leaders  that  affect  the  mass  of  the  people 
even  here;  they  know  they  don't,  and  it's  no  good  your  starting  on 
what  ought  or  oughtn't  to  be,  bringing  in  God  and  Jesus  Christ  with 
them*  The  half  of  the  time  they'll  deny  your  premises  even  if  they 
accept  your  conclusions*  I've  been  about  a bit  these  last  three  days 
in  the  various  pubs*,  which  is  just  what  you  reverend  gentlemen 
can't  do,  though  I'm  not  suggesting  that  Father  Fawkham  and  the 
other  reverend  Father  don't  know  the  sort  of  thing  that's  said  there* 
But  I say  that  in  this  sleepy  old  town,  same  as  in  the  big  ones,  you'll 
hear  the  truths  of  Christianity,  as  Catholics  hold  them,  out  and  out 
denied  by  the  ordinary  working  man,  because,  though  in  his  heart  he 
wants  to  believe  and  in  a way  does,  the  leaders  he  listens  to  don't 
believe  and  don't  want  him  to*  And  he  repeats  them,  and  him  and 
his  friends  they  accustom  one  another  to  hearing  that  sort  of  talk, 
and  more  than  ever  since  the  war;  and  men  have  got  more  darin'  in 


20 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


what  they  say  and  more  sick  with  the  whole  bundle  of  tricks  that 
made  up  the  so-called  civilization  which  landed  them  in  the  war* 
So  what  I say,  and  what  I go  nowhere  without  I hear  my  friends 
say,  is,  we  want  to  be  taught  how  to  defend  these  very  principles 
Father  Fawkham  was  alluding  to,  that  there's  a God;  that  He 
matters;  that  Jesus  Christ  isn't  just  a name  nor  yet  wasn't  a mere 
dreamer  that's  kept  things  back  rather  than  the  opposite;  and  that 
the  New  Testament's  to  be  trusted  and  has  things  to  tell  us  right 
here  about  these  very  problems  that  we  think  is  so  modern*  So 
I say  you  want,  and  we  want,  and  we  all  want  regular  Catholic 
instruction  in  things  like:  Why  I believe  in  God,  why  I believe  in 
Jesus  Christ,  and  not  only  why  I believe  in  indulgences  and  why 
I'm  not  a fool  for  taking  holy  water*  We  want  44  apologetic  " 
clubs,  though  I hate  the  name,  we  not  having  to  apologize  for  any- 
thing, but  it's  the  official  word  and  we  understand  it  here  at  all 
events*  And  I daresay  I've  been  none  too  helpful  about  your  new 
club,  seeing  as  I've  only  saddled  you  with  a new  job  on  top  of  it*  But 
that's  my  own  opinion  and  it's  more  than  that,  for  you'll  find  never 
a priest  in  the  north,  or  few  enough,  whom  I'm  not  repeating  the 
words  of*  But  the  priests  themselves  need  to  be  reminded  of  it 
by  men  like  us  who  see  the  world  now  and  again  from  a different 
angle  like*  And  I'll  not  regret  having  come  from  High  Green — 
well,  not  for  many  reasons;  but  I'll  not  regret  it  if  I've  made  that 
point  clear*  Underneath  all  your  club  and  class  discussions  is 
God  and  Jesus  Christ,  and  it's  over  them  that  the  battle's  to  be 
fought  in  the  long  run,  and  may  God  forgive  us  if  we  can't  fight  it, 
fo*  besides  us  Catholics  there'll  soon  enough  be  never  a man 
who  can*" 

He  sat  down* 

Very  little  was  said  after  that,  save  by  way  of  brief  agreement* 
An  immense  solemnity  seemed  to  invade  the  little  room;  the  august 
names  that  had  been  mentioned  wrere  no  new  thing  there;  they 
belonged  to  it,  or  rather,  it  to  them*  In  the  massive  walls  of  the  old 
fortress-chapel  the  Catholic  civilization  of  underlying  centuries  beat 
like  a heart;  the  Faith  thrilled  like  a soul;  the  very  stones  cried  out 
and  chanted  their  unchanged  Credo ♦ The  strong  virility  of  the 
Lancashire  lad,  his  robust  voice,  his  direct  grasp  upon  the  very 
innermost  of  the  matter,  were  part  and  parcel  of  a mighty  Life* 
Life  had  throbbed  here  strongly;  here  men  had  fought,  died,  sinned, 
repented,  prayed*  Here  still  must  they  so  do,  drawing  the  same 
life  from  the  same  source*  The  same  Crucifix  spread  wide  its 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


21 


arms;  from  the  same  pierced  human  heart  still  sprang  the  divine 
vitality*  It  seemed  natural  that  before  we  separated,  we  should 
kneel,  and  repeat  Our  Father , and  the  I Believe,  and,  looking 
to  the  ancient  statue  of  the  Virgin  Mother,  the  immemorial  Hail 
Mary * 

We  went  out  into  the  starlit  town*  I walked  with  Miss  Silver 
and  allowed  the  others  who  were  going  our  way  to  get  somewhat 
ahead*  Miss  Silver  was  very  silent* 

After  a while  I asked  her  if  she'd  liked  it* 

“ I — I don't  know,"  she  said*  **  It  was  all  so  different  * * * from 
what  I'm  used  to,  and  from  what  I'd  expected*  I can't  say  what  I 
mean*  Looking  back  it  all  feels  so — so  aneemic,  what  we  used  to  do* 
I shall  never  dare  to  write  to  the  papers  again*  I feel  I've  been — 
frivolous*  Yet  I thought  I was  in  earnest*  And  now  I shan't  know 
what  to  do*" 

She  searched  for  her  handkerchief  and  dabbed  her  eyes* 

“ Oh,  but  you  mustn't  give  up,"  I cried*  44  You've  seen  nothing 
whatever  to  make  you  want  to  do  that  1 Surely,  just  the  opposite* 
No,  no ! There's  ever  so  much  in  which  we  can  co-operate  * ♦ ♦ 
we  could  correspond  * * *" 

44  Oh,  but  you  surely  wouldn't  think  that  worth  your 
while  ?" 

44  Of  course  we  would  ! Good  heavens  1 we're  not  conceited* 
We're  learning * We're  struggling  frightfully  hard,  with  our  lack 
of  knowledge,  our  lack  of  interest,  our  poverty,  our  lack  of  men  and 
women  who  care * * * * We  want  every  kind  of  co-operation  and 
fellowship  we  possibly  can  have*" 

“ But  could  you,  as  Roman  Catholics,  have  anything  to  do  with 
me  ? Because — well,  I never  thought  I'd  feel  just  what  I am 
feeling  now;  but  I'm  not  any  nearer  believing  in  your  faith.  I'm 
afraid,  and " 

“ You  believe  in  God,  and  in  the  brotherhood  of  men  through 
Jesus  Christ  ?" 

44  I don't  know  that  I do !"  she  said  rather  piteously* 
44  I've  talked  a lot  * * * I've  — oh  well,  you  know  the  way  we 
talk — about  modern  times,  and  restatement  of  old  ideas  and — 
oh,  but  it  does  seem  so  unreal  when  I see  a man  like  Mr*  Holden — 
so  unhesitating,  so  open-eyed  too — oh  dear,  I don't  know  any - 
thing  /" 

She  was  an  impulsive  girl,  and  I thought  her  despondency  might 
be  less  heavy  on  the  next  day;  so  I just  promised  we'd  keep  in  touch, 


22 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


and  would  send  her  our  literature  and  would  like  to  know  what  she 
was  doing,  and  after  a while  we  said  good-night. 

44  Thank  you  so  much/'  she  said.  44  I don't  believe  I shall  forget 
it  all.  I'm  sure  I've  been  helped." 

44  We've  shared  /"  said  I,  smiling. 

44  Oh,  don't  /"  she  cried,  and  ran  down  the  little  passage  which 
led  to  Mrs.  Bolton's. 


Chapter  IV 

A LITTLE  while  after  this  Miss  Silver  invited  me  to  tea*  I 
found  her  alone,  and  rather  anxious,  for  she  had  also  invited 
her  two  lady  friends  and  Mr*  Tuke  of  the  Wilchurch  Argus, 
and  she  hadn't  the  least  idea  how  we  should  fuse*  Nor  had  I;  and 
I recommended  ourselves  to  the  benison  of  His  Holiness,  now 
restored  to  his  proper  place  above  a massive  sideboard*  I trusted 
I was  not  disrespectful  in  thinking  I observed  the  tiniest  flicker  of 
a smile  at  the  corner  of  his  lips*  Anyhow,  round  his  eyes  were 
amiable  little  crinkles* 

Miss  Elsie  Newton  and  Miss  Malfa  Sykes  came  in,  though  it  was 
long  before  I discovered  their  Christian  names,  because  these  three 
young  ladies  called  one  another  stalwartly  by  their  surnames  until 
a crisis  of  emotion  re-feminized  them*  Miss  Newton  was  down- 
right and  uncompromising,  and  Miss  Sykes  rather  ecstatic  and  talked 
almost  entirely  in  capitals;  but  I liked  them  both,  so  far  as  I could 
divert  my  attention  from  Mr*  Tuke,  who  was  very  young  and 
frightened  and  felt  far  more  at  home  with  Mrs*  Bolton  than  with 
any  of  us* 

4*  I don't  know  whether  I ought  to  be  sitting  down  to  tea  with 
you  at  all,**  said  Miss  Newton,  very  abruptly* 

44  Am  I a bad  character  ?"  I asked* 

44  I expect  you're  congratulating  yourself  on  having  captured 
Silver  ! No  doubt  your  Church  applauds  you,  but  I can't  say  / 
do*" 

44  Are  you  captured,  Miss  Silver  ?"  said  I* 

“ She  is  not,**  said  Miss  Newton*  44  I*ll  see  to  that*  But  I — I 
knew  what  you  were  up  to*  / saw*" 

44  The  Wilchurch  Press,"  said  Mr*  Tuke,  melodramatically,  44  is 
his  slave*  Journals  of  both  sides*" 

“ The  Power  of  the  Press  !"  cried  Miss  Sykes,  with  nondescript 
emotion* 

“ Do  I drive  you  hard  ?"  I asked* 

“ More  like  coo,"  said  he*  44  Coo,  and  we  come*  But  ever  since 

23 


24  MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

that  night  you  took  down  the  Belgian  gentleman's  speech  for  us — 
we  not  being  able  to  take  French/'  he  explained,  44  and  got  us  copied 
into  every  paper  of  the  land,  it's  us  for  you*" 

44  It's  very  kind  of  you,"  said  I*  44  It  was  an  amusing  job*  Did 
you  see  that.  Miss  Newton  ? Amazing  incidents  during  the  German 
occupation  of  Belgium*  Such  headlines ! Jesuits  in  disguise* 
Priestly  Pimpernels*  Clerics  as  carters,  pastry-cooks,  anything  you 
like*" 

44  It  was  well  known,"  she  said,  “ priests  were  pro-German*  I 
don't  want  to  hear  about  it*  What  did  they  do  ?" 

44  Work  in  conjunction  with  Nurse  Cavell,"  I replied*  44  Getting 
wounded  and  maltreated  prisoners  out  of  Belgium  into  Holland,  or 
even  England*  And  co-operate  with  the  Admiralty  in  getting  news 
across  about  imminent  air-raids*" 

She  looked  a little  blank* 

44  But  I don't  think  I've  gone  far  towards  capturing  Miss  Silver* 
She's  not  even  on  parole*" 

44  Well,  she  came  back  from  your  meeting  absolutely  hypnotized* 

I don't  know  what  she  could  have  heard  there*  She  said  she'd 
never  seen  anything  like  it*" 

44  She  could  hardly  speak  about  it,  next  day  even  !"  said  Miss 
Sykes*  “ She  sat  for  hours  telling  us  about  it*  The  Northerner  1 
The  Earnest  Priest — yet  so  human  l And  the  Tea  ! — And  then 
the  Prayers  ♦ ♦ ♦ I So  old  and  strange  l How  glad  I am  I 
wasn't  there  ! And  yet  * ♦ *"  she  looked  doubtfully  at  Miss 
Newton* 

“ I really  must  say,"  I interrupted,  44  we're  not  extraordinary  at 
all*  We  know  perfectly  well  that  crowds  of  institutions,  societies, 
and  wrhat  not,  of  any  colour  or  creed,  are  far  better  equipped  than 
we  are*  All  we  profess  to  have  of  special,  is  principles*" 

44  But  we  are  not  unprincipled,  please  /"  cried  Miss  Silver* 

44  What  are  your  principles  ?" 

44  Betterment  /"  sighed  Miss  Sykes*  44  The  Betterment  of  the 
Race — of  fellow-sufferers*" 

44  Excellent ! But  how  do  you  judge  what's  better  and  what's 
worse  ?" 

44  A Fair  Wage,"  said  Miss  Newton, 44  is  obviously  better  than  an 
unfair  one*" 

44  Yes,  but  how  d'you  judge  what's  fair  ? Equal  shares  all  round  ?" 

44  Of  course  not*" 

44  But  aren't  men  equal  ?" 


25 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

“ Yes.  No.  At  least  they  ought  to  be/' 

44  Why  ? Does  Nature  give  any  hint  of  human  equality  ?" 

44  No  cake  for  anyone/'  she  said  with  determination,  “ till  there's 
bread  for  all." 

“ Ah.  So  you  think  everyone  ought  to  have  the  chance  of  leading 
a certain  sort  of  life  ?" 

44  A human  life,"  said  Miss  Silver,  very  sensibly. 

44  And  for  that," said  Miss  Newton,  “they  must  have  more  leisure 
and  more  money." 

44  Play-time/'  breathed  Miss  Sykes;  and  Mr.  Tuke,  who  liked 
her  very  much,  applauded. 

44  But  what,"  I said,  44  is  a human  life  ? A luxurious  life  ? A 
comfortable  life  ? Who's  going  to  set  the  standard  so  that  you'll 
know  when  they've  got  enough  money  ? And  what  are  they  to  be  free 
to  do  in  playtime  ? Just  anything  ? Lounge  in  a pub.  ?" 

44  Most  certainly  not.  We  shall  take  the  drink  question  in  hand 
from  the  outset.  And  there  we  know  we  shall  have  the  Romanists 
against  us."  (Mr.  Tuke  winked  at  me.)  44  We  shall  start  too,  at 
once,  by  educating ." 

44  So  it's  not  just  material  betterment  you  want  ?" 

44  Of  course  not." 

“ Spiritual  ?" 

44  Soul- betterment,"  cried  Miss  Sykes. 

44  But  what's  soul  ?" 

They  all  three  began  to  speak  at  once,  and  subsided  without  saying 
anything. 

44  Let's  say,"  said  I,  44  they're  to  be  taught  to  use  their  minds. 
And  regulate  their  emotions.  But  use  them  on  what  ? And  regulate 
them  by  whose  rule  ? Who's  going  to  tell  us  what's  true,  so  that 
we  can  think  it  ? or  what's  good  and  beautiful,  so  that  we  can  love 
it  ?" 

Miss  Sykes,  somewhat  embarrassed  by  the  consciousness  that 
Mr.  Tuke's  eyes  were  earnestly  fixed  upon  her,  murmured  that  those 
were  mysteries. 

44  But,"  I urged,  44  educators  can't  educate  towards  something  of 
which  all  they  know  is  that  it's  a mystery.  Some  sort  of  truth  and 
right  must  be  agreed  upon.  But  by  whom  ?" 

44  The  State  shall  uphold  the  Ideal." 

44  Any  State  ? Prussia  ? China  ? The  Capitalist  State  ?" 

44  Oh  dear  ! a right  State,  of  course;  the  true  State." 

44  But  how  does  one  know  when  a State's  right  and  true  ? You 


26 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

wouldn't  get  Prussia  or  China  or  any  Government  to  acknowledge 
they  were  wrong  and  false/' 

44  The  Government  isn't  the  State  1" 

44  I agree.  But  what  is  ?'* 

44  The  mass  of  right-minded  men  and  women,  of  course." 

44  Oh  dear  ! But  who's  to  decide  who's  right-minded  ? How 
d'you  know  ? Is  the  majority  always  the  right-minded  ?" 

44  Alas,  far  from  it.  Else  public  opinion  would  long  ago  have 
abolished  our  present  horrible  system." 

“ Oh,  an  elite,  then  ? A favoured  few  ? A minority  recognized 
by  themselves  as  right  ? Yourselves,  in  short.  But — most  respect- 
fully, who  are  you  ? The  State,  anyway  ! L'Etat  cfest  moi ♦ There 
we  are;  back  again,  full  circle,  to  Autocracy." 

44  You're  only  arguing  for  the  sake  of  arguing,"  said  Miss  Newton. 
44  I ought  to  know  better  than  to  chop  logic  with  a Roman  casuist !" 

44  Oh,  Elsie  1”  cried  Miss  Silver;  so  I found  that  out. 

“ Forgive  me,"  I said.  44  It  was  scarcely  arguing.  Probably  I 
should  agree  with  you  about  half  the  things  you  want  done.  But  I 
don't  think  you're  clear  about  why  you  want  them  done.  I think  I 
am.  And  I have  principles  which  tell  me  why,  and  show  me  a lot 
more  things  to  be  done  than  even  you,  I fancy,  want;  and  better 
things,  that  go  deeper;  and  I have  stronger  motives.  It's  no  good 
talking  about  progress  till  you're  clear  where  you  are,  and  where  you 
want  to  go;  and  what  sort  of  creature  you  are.  Else  you  may  be 
asking  a wingless  creature  to  fly,  and  to  fly  to  the  wrong  place.  And 
don't  talk  about  the  Race,  still  less  about  posterity,  nor  self-sacrifice, 
nor,  again,  self-determination,  till  you  know  what  man  is,  what  he's 
meant  for,  and  how  he  may  hope  to  become  it." 

44  Ah  ! You  talk.  We  act  /" 

44  Listen  ! We've  got  a few,  perfectly  clear  principles,  without 
which,  I consider,  you  can't  safely  act.  Two  sets,  in  fact,  neither 
of  which  will  we  give  up.  Into  the  first  set  the  Church  doesn't 
enter  at  all.  Isn't  mentioned.  Nor  even  Christianity.  They  are, 
we  consider,  warranted  by  pure  reason.  Without  them,  you'll 
merely  act  at  random.  We  believe  in  the  existence  of  God,  who  is 
not  the  world,  nor  us.  God  is.  Necessarily.  And  God  is  absolute. 
An  absolute  authority.  The  whole  ultimate  well-being  of  the  race 
and  the  group  and  the  individual  comes  about  through  obeying  the 
Divine  law.  All  our  duties  are  ultimately  to  God.  For,  that  we 
have  intelligence  to  know  Him  sufficiently,  and  free  will  to  adapt 
ourselves  to  Him,  we  also  hold  as  a principle.  And  again,  that  we  are 


gOSTOlf  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 

MR.  FRANCIS  NEW^RS'^  ¥J  ' 27 

unities  made  up  both  of  body  and  spirit.  And  that  spirit  is  immortal. 
Therefore,  that  our  duties  and  scope  and  goal  are  not  limited  to  this 
body-soul  period  of  living,  but  extend  beyond  it.  Therefore,  that 
not  only  material  comfort,  nor  yet  intellectual  triumphs  affecting 
our  condition  here  and  now,  nor  even  that  of  posterity,  in  earthly 
conditions,  will  ultimately  do  for  objective.  Therefore,  that  all 
reform  and  legislation  ought  to  use  at  least  those  principles,  and  that 
consequently  only  such  as  do  will  construct  human  life  properly, 
for  each  man,  or  for  groups,  or  the  race/' 

“ That  seems  right  ,"  said  Miss  Sykes,  and  Mr.  Tuke  thought  so, 
too. 

44  Let  him  go  on,"  said  Miss  Newton,  magnificently. 

44  There  is  a second  group  of  principles  which  we  are  given  by 
what  we  call  Revelation,  and  they  are  supernatural.  Here  certainly 
Our  Lord,  through  whom  this  unique  revelation  was  given,  comes 
in,  and  so  does  the  Church.  But  these  I leave  to  one  side,  though 
along  of  them  chiefly,  and  better,  we  reach  the  knowledge  of  man's 
true  equality  and  fraternity  and  dignity.  Now  I say  that  all  efforts 
on  behalf  of  man  which  don't  flow  from  these  principles,  which 
we  boldly  and  logically  apply  in  detail  to  each  department,  fall  short 
of  what  must  be  done  if  we  are  to  succeed.  And  I say  that  on  the 
whole  reformers  neglect  those  principles.  Our  Guild  studies  these 
in  themselves  and  in  their  application;  and  in  that  alone,  if  you  like, 
it  is  better  than  many  another  such  society,  even  if  in  all  else  it 
might  be  worse,  though  I don't  think  it  is  so." 

44  But  you'll  never,"  she  said  rather  soberly,  44  get  people  at  large 
to  believe  in  all  that.  I don't  myself.  I have  to  be  much  less 
sure." 

44  People  did  once  !"  I said,  44  and  there  was  a coherent  society. 
And  I'll  tell  you  this,"  I added,  not  looking  at  Miss  Sykes,  44  nine- 
tenths  of  the  neurasthenia  and  the  mental  instability  of  our  times  is 
precisely  due  to  lack  of  guiding  Mie-principles ♦ A doctor  said  so  to 
me  only  yesterday;  and  I've  always  believed  it." 

44  But  mental  instability  may  be  a good  symptom  I"  she  cried. 
44  Crystallized  errors  ! To  me,  that  is  what  your  Church  stands  for. 
Break  up  all  these  dreadful  out-of-date  conventions  and  creeds  ! 
Let  thought  be  active  and  form  itself  ever  anew  1" 

44  To  some  extent  that  may  be  good.  Superficial,  untrue 
formations,  yes.  They  may  be  harmful.  But  unless  a man,  or 
nation,  has  some  absolutely  valid  fundamental  primary  convictions, 
which  are,  in  the  long  run,  right  ways  of  being,  he's  a mere  flux,  and 


28 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


the  nation  mere  chaos.  The  same  doctor  said  to  me  he  didn't  see 
how  a man,  who  really  lived  out  his  religious  principles,  could  possibly 
be  neurasthenic.  And  I said  that  I'd  often  noticed  that  neuras- 
thenic religious  people  were,  at  some  point,  not  allowing  them- 
selves to  carry  out  their  innermost  religious  convictions,  and  were 
accordingly  in  a state  of  deep-seated  conflict,  and  downright 
miserable," 

44  He  must  have  been  a very  odd  doctor  !" 

44  Not  so  unusual  as  you'd  think.  Far  more  than  they  suppose, 
even,  but  often  consciously,  doctors  occupied  with  that  department 
are  coming  round  to  the  Catholic  doctrine  of  the  soul,  and  to  recog- 
nize the  inestimable  value  of  Catholic  principles  and  wishing  they 
were  true," 

“ I suppose  you'd  persuaded  him," 

44  Not  at  all.  He'd  not  require  it.  He  works  in  the  very  big 
shell-shock  and  neuropathic  hospital  five  miles  from  here;  and  as 
he  emphasized,  these  men  can't  get  well,  because  they  want  to  do  some- 
thing with  life — they  seek  a purpose — and  can't  offer  themselves  one; 
and  they  want  a method  to  apply  it  to  their  existence  in  detail,  and 
don't  know  of  one,  4 I,'  he  said,  4 can  analyze,  I can  show  them 
where  they're  wrong,  or  what  they  lack;  but  it's  for  you,  priests 
especially,  to  put  'em  together  again,  and  reveal  to  them  satisfactory 
principles.  For  yours  work.  Only  / can't  honestly  recommend 
them.  For  I'm  not  sure,'  / said,  4 Doctor,  your  method  takes  you 
a long  way.  It  shows  we  have  a lot  of  primary  and  secondary 
instincts  which  need  governing  and  co-ordinating  unless  we're  to 
get  in  a mess.  You  own  they  can  only  be  governed  by  ideas ♦ And 
you  own  you  oughtn't  to  suggest  ideas  you  believe  to  be  false,  or, 
may  be  false.  And  if  the  patient  thinks  the  idea  you're  suggesting 
is  false,  it  won't  work  for  him.  It  loses  its  dynamic  value.  For  an 
idea  to  work  and  go  on  working  I've  got  to  be  convinced  it's  true. 
So  our  whole  job  is,  to  find  out  ideas,  governing  ideas,  which  we  can 
be  sure  are  true , If  we  can't  we — and  you  in  particular — may  as  well 
throw  up  the  sponge,'  But  there  must  be  a way  of  finding  out 
truth , Well,  let's  make  use  of  it," 

44  What  is  the  way  ?"  said  Miss  Sykes, 

44  Ah  ! we'd  better  not  embark  on  that  now,  had  v/e  ?" 

44  Pearls  before  swine,  I suppose  l"  she  sighed, 

“ Oh,  Malfa  /"  cried  Miss  Silver;  so  I found  that  out  too. 

44  Say  rather,  acorns  before  angels,"  I murmured,  and  bowing,  got 
up  to  go,  I walked  home  with  Mr.  Tuke,  and  the  conversation 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  29 

gave  him  matter  for  a paragraph,  off  which  he  made  half-a-crown, 
and  stood  his  pal  a cinema* 

***** 

After  dinner  Captain  Blake  called. 

He  was  very  timid,  so  I asked  him  if  he'd  like  some  coffee*  He 
refused,  of  course,  but  I insisted  that  it  could  easily  be  hotted  up, 
and  I reflected  it  was  sure  to  be  so  nasty  that  he'd  have  no  time  for 
any  other  emotion,  and  would  be  normal  when  he'd  finished  his 
cup*  So  I messed  about  with  the  coffee  things  till  we'd  got  over 
the  first  ten  minutes;  he  then  drank  his,  and  became  neutral;  and 
when  he  began  to  smoke  he  had  all  his  courage,  and  took  the  plunge* 

44  You  said  I might  come  and  ask  you  a thing  or  two,  padre,"  he 
began* 

44  Sure*  You  wanted  an  explanation  about  mixed  marriages, 
didn't  you  ?" 

44  Well — I did.  But  I don't  any  more*  I may  as  well  tell  you 
I've  decided  to  become  an  R*C*" 

44  Oh*  Why?" 

44  Well,  I daresay  I'm  not  telling  you  anything  when  I say  I'm 
most  awfully  struck  with  Miss  Travers;  and  though  it  would  be  a 
bit  of  a gulp  to  become  an  R.C*,  what  with  my  parents  and  all,  y'know, 
I expect  it  would  give  me  a better  chance,  y'know,  if  I was  one,  and 
then  this  mixed-marriage  business  needn't  be  gone  into  at  all*" 

44  If  you  want,"  said  I,  44  to  do  exactly  the  one  thing  which 
would  absolutely  ensure  Miss  Travers  saying  No,  you  suggest  to  her 
that  you  are  willing  to  be  an  R.C*  for  her  sake*" 

He  looked  extremely  blank* 

44  The  way,"  I continued,  44  to  obtain  leave  for  a mixed  marriage, 
is  to  promise  that  the  children  shall  be  brought  up  Catholics,  and 
that  you  won't  interfere  with  your  wife's  religion;  and  she  promises 
she'll  try  in  a reasonable  way  to  show  you  the  truth  of  hers*  And 
the  one  and  only  way  of  becoming  a Catholic  is  to  acquire  a complete 
conviction  that  the  Catholic  Faith  is  absolutely  true." 

44  Well,"  he  said,  rather  glumly,  “ of  course,  I haven't  gone  into 
these  things,  but  I daresay  it's  all  right." 

44  You've  got  to  dare  to  say  a lot  more  than  that." 

“ But  look  here,  padre,  I know  a whole  heap  of  fellows  who 
become  R.C.'s  in  order  to  marry;  at  least  I know  a couple  or  so;  but 
you're  always  hearing  about  it;  you  don't  mean  to  tell  me  it  really 
makes  much  odds  to  them  ? They  want  to  please  the  girl  they're  in 
love  with;  and  then  they  reckon  what's  good  enough  for  her  is  good 


30  MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

enough  for  them*  They  wouldn't  care  one  way  or  the  other,  left 
to  themselves*" 

“ Well,  of  course,  I'd  consider  that  converts  aren't  left  to  themselves* 
If  they're  called  to  have  the  Catholic  Faith,  God  intervenes*  He  can 
quite  well  start  work  upon  a man  through  the  instrumentality  of  a 
girl,  or  a friend,  or  a book,  or  pretty  well  anything*  I knew  a man 
once  who  was  going  on  a job  to  Naples,  and  thought — God  help 
him  ! — it  would  be  a sound  business  proposition  if  he  were  the  same 
religion  as  the  natives — out  there  at  least*  He  made  quite  a good 
Catholic  in  the  long  run*  * * * But  you've  got  to  have  the  faith , 
personal  conviction,  or  whatever  phrase  you're  used  to*  Else  no 
priest  would  receive  you*" 

44  But  surely  the  priests  wink  at  it  now  and  again  ? What  about 
these  political  marriages  ?" 

44  Look  here,"  said  I,  44  in  any  other  department  of  life  you 
wouldn't  dream  of  making  that  sort  of  suggestion*  It's  perfectly 
astounding  to  me  when  I think  of  the  state  popular  imagination 
must  be  in  when  quite  decent  folks  like  you  can  say  that  sort  of  thing 
to  other  decent  folks,  let's  hope  like  me*  I remember  another  man 
— he  hadn't  the  least  spark  of  Catholic  faith  in  him,  and  never  has 
had,  but  his  prospective  mother-in-law  had  set  her  heart  on  his 
being  a Catholic  before  he  married  her  daughter,  and  was  chivying 
him — and  at  last  he  came  to  me  and  said:  4 Look  here,  padre,  I'll 
tell  any  old  lie  you  like  for  the  sake  of  peace*  Carry  on;  you  can 
make  me  an  R*C*  right  now*'  I said:  4 If  you'd  even  begun  to  get 
hold  of  the  idea  of  what  you're  talking  about,  you'd  see  that  you  were 
insulting  your  fiancee  in  supposing  she'd  like  you  to  tell  lies;  and 
insulting  the  R*C*  religion  in  supposing  it  would  condescend  to 
accept  you  on  the  basis  of  a lie;  not  to  mention  your  mother-in-law* 
So  don't  do  it*'  I tell  you,  he  was  properly  relieved  !" 

44  Well,"  Blake  said,  rather  stiffly,  44 1 didn't  quite  realize  you'd 
take  it  like  that*  Perhaps  I'd  better  apologize*" 

I laughed* 

“ Don't  take  that  part  too  seriously*  I know  it's  the  conventional 
thing  to  suppose  priests  are  all  out  fishing  for  converts  and  appar- 
ently don't  much  mind  how  they  get  'em*  As  if  it  were  the  priest 
who  stood  to  gain  by  getting  one,  and  not  the  convert*" 

“ But  look  here,  padre,  I may  as  well  speak  plainly*  In  my  view 
I'm  all  right  as  I am*  I don't  see  how  I'd.  gain  particularly  by 
becoming  an  R*C*  except  for  having  peace  in  the  house  and 
so  on*  And,  of  course,  what  Orwylstree  said  had  something  in 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  31 

it.  Bit  awkward  if  one  party  goes  one  way  and  one  the  other. 
But " 

44  Wait  a minute/'  I said.  44  It  strikes  me  you're  romping  on  a 
bit  rapidly.  Suppose  you  became  a Catholic  as  you  suggested  and 
then  she  said  No  ? Where'd  you  be  ?" 

44  It's  not  an  idea  I like  to  think  of." 

44  No;  but  you  oughtn't  to  shut  your  eyes  to  the  possibility. 
Where  would  you  be  ?" 

44  Blest  if  I know.  Make  the  best  of  it,  I suppose.  In  short,  be 
pretty  well  where  I am,  with  a different  label  on." 

44  Well,  d'you  mind  my  asking,  What  are  you  ?" 

44  Oh,  C.  of  E.  Army  C.  of  E.,"  he  added,  with  a little  laugh. 

44  What  exactly  does  that  mean  ?" 

44  It  doesn't  mean  anything  exactly ,"  he  said,  rather  sharply. 

44  You  mean  you  were  brought  up  that  way  ?" 

44 1 suppose  so.  After  all,  what  else  could  you  be  ? Officially,  I 
mean.  A man  can't  very  well  be  a Primitive  Methodist,  can  he  ? 
Not  but  what  since  a different  sort  of  man  began  being  made  officers, 
we've  had  a Baptist  in  the  mess,  I believe.  Non-Con.,  anyway. 
But  good  Lord,  that's  what  I say,  it  made  no  difference.  They  were 
just  like  the  rest  of  us,  as  far  as  that  went.  Hadn't  had  the  same 
sort  of  home  or  schooling  as  most  of  us;  but  his  religion  didn't  make 
much  odds,  as  far  as  I could  see.  Nor  yet  ours  to  us,  I'm  afraid." 

44  So  you  think  denominations  are  part  of  social  status  ?"  I asked, 
grinning  a little.  44  And  that  provided  a fellow's  a decent  sort  of 
fellow,  he  can  have  any  religion  or  none,  and  no  odds  made  ?" 

44  Well,  as  I practically  said,  I haven't  got  a religion,  except  in  the 
sense  all  decent  men  have;  and  frankly,  I don't  see  what  I'd  be  the 
better  for  having  one.  I'm  not  a saint;  but  I've  got  a conscience, 
and  there  are  certain  things  I wouldn't  do,  or,  anyway,  I feel  a bit 
disgusted  when  I do;  I reckon  I'm  pretty  average,  and  I don't  set 
out  to  be  anything  else." 

44  Well,  you  believe  in  God  ?" 

44  Oh,  yes,",  he  said,  rather  coldly. 

44  Don't  be  offended.  I always  ask  that.  I've  no  doubt  you  do. 
And  I'm  not  going  into  all  the  reasons  which  prove  His  existence. 
But  d'you  know  anything  about  Him  ?" 

“ Oh,  I suppose  so.  I learnt  the  Bible  at  school.  . ♦ . No.  As 
you  were.  Can  one  know  anything  about  Him  ? I don't  see  how." 

44  Well,  you  can.  But  anyway;  d'you  know  anything  or,  if  you 
like,  feel  anything  about  Him  so  as  to  make  any  practical  difference  ? 


32 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


Is  there  any  one  thing  you  do  or  don't  do  just  because  of  God  ? 
D'you  keep  off  adultery  or  perjury  or  stealing  because  you  feel  He'd 
object  ? D'you  do  your  best  for  these  fellows  at  the  Town  Hall, 
even  when  you've  got  a liver  and  feel  like  cursing  the  lot  of  them, 
because  He  orders  you  to  be  just  ?" 

44  Don't  suppose  so." 

“ D'you  ever  say  any  prayers  ?" 

“ Not  since  I left  school." 

“ Well,  I bet  you  do.  I don't  mean  kneeling  down  and.  reciting 
long  prayers,  or  any  set  prayers.  But  d'you  ever  pray  on  your  own  ?" 

44  I go  to  church  on  and  off  when  I'm  at  home." 

44  No,  no.  Not  church.  But  you  occasionally  speak  to  God  ?" 

“ Well,  possibly." 

“ What  d'you  say  ?" 

He  moved  restlessly. 

44  Look  here,  this  is  getting  a bit  intimate." 

44  Sorry,  Blake.  But  I consider  we  aren't  casual  acquaintances  any 
more.  I'm  not  meaning  to  be  intrusive.  I perfectly  well  under- 
stand when  a man's  sensitive  too.  Listen.  I'll  tell  you  a thing. 
During  the  war  you  prayed  when  you  had  wind  up.  But  not  only 
then.  In  fact,  you  almost  felt  you'd  be  a hypocrite  to  pray  much 
then.  Still,  you  did.  But  there  are  moments  when  you  feel  so  fear- 
fully fit  and  bucked  with  life,  especially  at  rather  unusual  moments, 
and  when  there's  a sort  of  sense  of  purity  about,  like  a very  clear 
summer  morning  when,  by  a fluke,  you've  been  up,  and  you  some- 
how feel  God's  at  the  back  of  all,  and  you  feel  He's  jolly  good*  . ♦ . 
And,  similarly,  I expect  you've  once  or  twice  been  so  up  against  it 
that  you've  almost  angrily  appealed  to  God  to  lend  a hand.  ♦ ♦ ♦ 
And,  finally,  you've  prayed  a bit  more  since  you've  been  in  love; 
and  I daresay  on  other  occasions  when  you've  been  in  love.  . . ♦" 

He  smiled  quite  pleasantly. 

44  Well,  I'm  not  always  falling  in  and  out  of  it,  exactly.  . ♦ ♦ 
Still,  I own  to  being  a bit  susceptible.  But  it's  queer  your  guessing 
it  took  me  that  way — made  me  say  my  prayers,  I mean.  ♦ ♦ ♦ By 
Jove,  haven't  I asked,  once  or  twice,  that  she  should — er — like  me 
a bit ! I say,  padre,"  said  the  young  man  quite  anxiously,  “ should 
you  say  I had  the  ghost  of  a chance  ?" 

44  Oh — well,  you  know  ! I've  seen  you  together  exactly  once  !" 

“ Well,  will  you  put  in  a word  for  me  if  she — if  you — if  there's  an 
opportunity  ?" 

“ Ah  1 You  mustn't  ask  me  to  play  Providence  ! It's  not  my 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES  33 

line,  honest ! And  are  you  asking  me  to  cut  out  my  friend  Reggie 
Orwylstree  ? Suppose  he  asked  me  the  same  thing  ? He  hasn't, 
I promise  you — but " 

44  D'you  suppose " he  interrupted,  44  I say — is  Orwylstree — 

oh  damn  l" 

Then  he  apologized  for  his  language,  and  murmured  something 
about  my  44  cloth,"  , ♦ , 

44  Look  here,"  I said,  44  Let's  get  back  a moment,  I assure  you 
Orwylstree's  never  mentioned  the  subject,  and  if  he  did  I'd  say  the 
same  as  I do  to  you.  But  now  listen.  Why  d'you  apologize  to  me 
for  saying  4 damn ' ?" 

44  Oh  well,  y'know,  parson,  you  know.  Leastways  a padre,  anyhow. 
Suppose  it's  much  the  same  thing  . . . don't  want  to  shock  anyone." 

44  No.  But  d'you  consider  4 damn  ' wrong  ?" 

44  Can't  say  I do.  Still,  well,  one  has  to  be  a bit  careful  before 
padres,  I suppose.  Though he  broke  off, 

44  Now,  look  here.  Either  it's  wrong,  and  you  oughtn't  to  say  it, 
parson  or  no  parson;  or  it's  not,  and  then  they  oughtn't  to  be  shocked. 
Though,  really,  even  without  any  army  experience,  I should  say 
parsons  would  be  kept  pretty  busy  if  they  had  to  be  shocked  every 
time  they  heard  4 damn  ' said." 

44  You  don't  consider  it  wrong  ?" 

44  Wrong  ? Well,  it's  a word,  merely,  isn't  it  ? It  has  no  mean- 
ing. Anyway,  I don't  understand  the  idea  of  being  shocked  at 
words,  merely  ! I might  dislike  a word,  or  even  object  to  it  if  it 
had  an  objectionable  meaning.  But  shocked  ? To  be  shocked 
implies  being  unpleasantly  surprised.  I'd  be  shocked  if  you  lost 
a couple  of  stone  in  the  next  week.  I'd  be  shocked  if  you  told  me 
you  had  a wife  already,  and  yet  were  courting  Barbara  ! But 
swearing,  on  the  whole,  is  a matter  of  taste.  Sometimes  disgustingly 
bad  taste.  ♦ . . Now  blasphemy,  that's  a different  story.  I loathe 
it  inexpressibly.  But  what  I'm  getting  at  is,  if  you  and  I are  ever 
to  get  any  forrarder  we've  got  to  cut  out  all  these  frills  and  con- 
ventions and  thinking  things'll  shock  me  because  I wear  what  you 
call  4 cloth ' . . and  not  because  they're  wrong  in  themselves. 
Absolute  sincerity,  Blake,  or  we  shall  be  at  cross-purposes  all  the 
while.  But  I'll  take  sincerity  for  granted  from  now  on,  and  we  shall 
say  to  each  other  what  we  really  think  about  real  things.  That  all 
right  ? No  half-beliefs  and  half-disbeliefs.  If  possible,  we'll  get 
right  back  to  the  fundamental  stuff.  But  don't  have  wind  up  ! I 
gather  you've  not  much  use  for  parsons  ?" 


3 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


34 

44  Well — to  tell  you  the  truth — well,  I don't  honestly  see  what 
they're  /or,  y'know.  I suppose  you've  got  to  have  'em  to  baptize 
you — though — well,  it'd  be  rum  not  to  have  been  baptized,  though 
what  exactly  the  point  of  it  is,  I don't  know.  And  you  require  'em 
for  marriages  and  funerals,  though  why  parsons,  again  I don't  know. 
Any  of  your  pals'd  be  only  too  glad  to  say  a prayer  over  you  when 
you  were  being  put  away.  But  they  seem  to  require  'em  for  mar- 
riages, and  floating  round  hospitals,  and  to  take  Church  parades  and 
so  on — though  look  here,  padre,  if  we're  not  to  be  conventional, 
what  can  be  more  conventional  than  a church  parade  ? Make  it 
optional,  and  not  a man  would  go." 

44  They  all  say  that.  But  I'll  tell  you  a yarn  about  parsons.  It's 
become  famous;  but  I go  guarantee  for  it.  I was  most  meekly 
sitting  in  my  corner  of  a railway  carriage,  most  unprovocative,  I 
assure  you — when  a greasy  individual  opposite  me  fixed  me  for 
about  a minute  and  then  said  suddenly : 4 Parsons  is  bloody  !'  I was 
so  taken  aback  that  I said, 4 There's  bloodier  !'  He  was  so  astonished 
that  he  said,  4 Well,  I'm  damned  !'  And  I said, 4 Not  yet  1 ' " 

He  yelled  with  laughter. 

44  Four  words  ! Not  so  bad,  was  it  ? If  one  had  had  time  to 
think  one  would  have  made  a mess  of  it.  The  whole  carriage 
rocked  with  delight,  and  the  man  rolled  himself  up  in  his  Mirror 
and  I hugged  myself  all  the  way  home." 

44  Say  what  you  will,"  said  he,  44  people  are  more  scared  of  a 
parson  than  a baby.  You're  awkward  when  they  come  to  dinner; 
same  at  tennis  parties;  same  anywhere.  Pity  they're  so  black ♦ 
Sheer  sight  of  a long  black  coat  puts  the  wind  up  me.  And  it's 
just  the  same  when  they're  R.C.'s — not  that  I've  seen  many.  Bit 
worse,  if  anything.  Mysterious,  y'know.  Different  somehow. 
One  half  expects  'em  to  talk  Latin  at  you  suddenly,  or  burn  you 
at  the  stake  or  something.  But  I expect  there  are  good  sorts  among 
'em,  same  as  elsewhere.  In  fact,  I know  there  are.  Both  our  padres 
in  France  were  damned  good  sorts.  Sorry  !" 

44  I thoroughly  agree,"  said  I.  44  I could  cap  any  instance  of  the 
decency  of  Anglican  parsons,  and  Nonconformists  too,  that  you 
might  offer  me.  But,  on  the  whole,  you  feel  they  aren't  natural, 
don't  you — I mean  any  black-coated  cleric  of  whatever  denomina- 
tion— and  that  you  aren't  able  to  be  natural  either  while  they're 
there  ?" 

44  That's  it.  Have  to  be  on  one's  best  behaviour.  Very  good 
for  us,  probably." 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


35 

“ It  isn't,  if  it's  resentful  and  not  genuine.  Well,  listen.  We've 
had  a longish  yarn,  and  I don't  mind  if  you  get  nothing  from  it, 
except  that  nothing  matters  to  start  with,  except  absolute  mental 
sincerity.  I'm  perfectly  sure  you'll  come  back  for  some  more,  won't 
you  ?" 

44 1 should  hope  so.  Tell  me  some  more  yarns  like  that  one,  and 
I'll  come  every  night  I" 

44  Oh,  no.  That  was  unique.  Nothing  so  artistic  could  happen 
twice.  But  make  up  your  mind  that  this  huge  fact,  God,  is  as  real 
a fact  as  that  table,"  said  I,  hitting  it,  44  or  your  food,  or  Barbara ♦ 
And  you  don't  tell  her  lies,  or  think  lies  about  her,  nor  yet  mere 
conventionalisms ; but  you're  sincere  all  through." 

44  By  Jove,  I am,"  he  said; 44  I'd  kick  myself  if  I wasn't." 

44  Right,"  said  I.  44  Then  go  on  your  knees  very  sincerely  before 
God  to-night  for  a minute  or  two,  even  if  you  don't  say  anything. 
Take  your  hat  right  off.  . ♦ ♦" 

After  that  we  talked  about  indifferent  things  till  he  went  away. 


Chapter  V 

TWO  or  three  days  after  this  I was  waiting  to  cross  Victoria 
Street  just  by  the  station,  and  reflecting  with  a certain  melan- 
choly on  tea  at  the  Ladies'  Minerva  Club,  to  which  I had 
been  bidden  by  Lady  Olivia  Binny,  the  well-known  West-End 
Democrat;  she  wanted  to  show  me  the  MS*  of  her  youngest  niece's 
collected  poems,  of  which  Little  Laughing  Larches  was  said  to  display 
a truly  mystical  perception  of  the  Underlying  Reality,  and,  if  I could 
find  an  agreeable  publisher.  Lady  Olivia  was  sure  the  book  would 
sell  extremely  well*  Lady  Olivia  had  herself  supplied  the  child's 
illustrations  and  designed  a cover,  representing  a little  girl  kissing 
a larch-tree*  44 1,"  Lady  Olivia  had  written  to  me,  44  have  merely 
contributed  the  craftsmanship,  the  mere  mechanical  extermination. 
The  work  is  really  Flora's;  the  inwardness,  the  Thing,  is  hers*  But 
I have  been  careful  not  to  be  too  ♦ ♦ ♦ expert ! The  Thought  was 
— great,  and  yet  it  was  a child's*  The  pictures  must  express 
that*  * *" 

I was  roused  from  these  meditations  by  a devastating  whistle, 
which  held  up  the  traffic,  I am  sure,  from  Shepherd's  Bush  to 
Whitechapel;  and  lo!  Mr*  Francis  Newnes,  ex-Corporal,  in  heated 
altercation  with  a policeman* 

44  There  ain't  no  la w agin  it,  as  I've  heard  on,"  he  was  saying* 
44  Carn't  a bloke  whistle  if  'e  likes,  street  or  no  street  ? Carn't  'e 
give  vent  to  'is  innercent  light-heartedness  ? This  ain't  no  funeral, 
as  I knows  on*  This  ain't  Westminster  Abbey*  When  a bloke  sees 
a bloke  as  he's  a pal  on,  an'  is  full  of  joy  an'  rapture  consequently, 
an'  wishful  to  attrack  'is  attention  like,  'oo's  to  prevent  'im  whist- 
lin' ? 'Oo's  to  do  it  ? I ain't  imitated  none  of  your  bloomin'  cop's 

calls,  I ain't*  Tain't  my  fault  if  the  buses  stops Well,  an'  'ow 

are  you,"  he  broke  off,  shaking  hands  with  incredible  violence,  for 
by  now  I had  crossed  to  the  island* 

“As  you  appear 'to  know  this  man,  sir,"  said  the  policeman  to 
me, 44  I'll  be  glad  if  you  takes  him  elsewheres*" 

44  Old  army  acquaintance,  Sergeant,"  said  I,  forming  a rapid 

36 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  37 

opinion*  44  Knew  him  in  hospital*  * * * Hope  you  prefer  your 
present  job  to  a couple  of  years  ago  ♦ ♦ * ?" 

He  grinned,  saluted,  and  I piloted  the  Corporal  back  into  Wilton 
Road. 

44  Where'll  we  go  ?"  he  said,  excitedly* 

44  Wait  a moment;  I must  'phone  to  somebody  to  postpone  a tea*" 
He  whistled* 

44  A lady  ?"  he  enquired* 

44  Oh  yes  !" 

44  She'll  never  forgive  yer  !"  he  said,  with  intense  earnestness,  and 
stood  still  in  the  middle  of  the  pavement,  clutching  my  arm* 

She  never  did;  still,  as  I told  him,  it  was  worth  the  sacrifice* 

I telephoned,  somewhat  distracted  by  hearing  Frank  Newnes,  just 
as  I closed  the  little  door,  declare  in  a hoarse  whisper  to  an  elderly 
flower-seller: 

44  Goin'  to  tea  with  a lady,  an'  turns  'er  down  for  Mr*  Francis 

Newnes,  late  'Olioway,  an'  Corporal  in " 

What  further  he  said  I didn't  hear;  but  he  must  have  so  touched 
the  heart  of  the  flower-lady  that  she  presented  both  of  us,  on  my 
exit,  with  a buttonhole,  to  my  great  embarrassment* 

44  What  you  want,  Frank,"  said  I,  looking  at  him,  44  is  a meal* 
Choose  a likely-looking  place*" 

We  found  an  eating-house,  almost  empty  at  that  hour,  sat  down, 
and  he  perused  the  list* 

44  Hossidges  ?"  said  he*  44  N-a-ow*  Heard  too  much  about  'em* 

Quiver  an'  achin'  ? Ar*  'Ad  fim  yesterday*  Gripe  an'  bunions 

Knows  too  much  about  fim , leastways  the  trimmin's*  * * *" 

44  Frank,  if  you  go  on  like  that,  I shan't  be  able  to  eat  anything 
myself*  Look  here*  Have  some  steak  and  onions,  and  I'll  have 
sausages*  I like  'em*  But  don't  attack  my  imagination;  and  I 
think  you  might  modestly  convey  my  buttonhole  to  the  young  lady 
who'll  wait  on  us,  because  I can't  wear  it*" 

(I  may  add  that  he  covered  me  with  confusion,  while  he  pre- 
sented it,  by  saying  it  was  a present  from  the  reverend  gent  to  a good 
girl*  Fortunately  she  tossed  her  head  and  said  she  might  give  it 
to  her  girl-friend;  but  she  was  quite  pleased,  really,  and  the  meal 
was  excellent*) 

44  Now,"  said  I,  44  give  an  exact  account  of  all  you've  been  doing 
since  we  met*" 

44  Well,"  he  said,  44 1 wrote  to  say  'ow  I done  cinema-shouter  for 
a bit,  though  I reckon  you  thought  it  were  a West-end  lay,  it  bein' 


38  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

be'ind  Commercial  Road  in  reality,  a littl'un,  where  there's  shoutin' 
allowed  an'  coaxin'  the  public  in  like.  But  that  weren't  much. 
Then  my  pal  as  I were  stayin'  with  previous  to  this  'ere  movie-stunt, 
'e  gets  me  a job  drivin'  a van  for  parcels  like;  deliverin',  for  a 
millinery  firm,  Oates's;  don't  know  if  you  know  it;  millinery  an' 
'aberdashery  an'  wot  not.  That  were  a fair  job,  long  as  it  lasted." 

44  Why  didn't  it  last  ?" 

“ Why,  they  reckoned  to  send  me  to  a branch  at  Berkhamsted. 
Gawd  'elp  us  ! Berk-ham-sted  1 Now  you  look  'ere,  Far-ther. 
First  rule  in  the  game  is:  It's  got  to  be  London.  London  every 
time,  or  I snuffs  it.  See  Francis  Newnes  of  'Olloway  in  Berkham- 
sted ? Pine  away,  I would,  an'  become  a interestin'  angel  like  as 
you  used  to  talk  on.  No.  London  for  me,  an'  when  they  mentions 
Berkhamsted,  I faints  away  where  I stands,  an'  then  I 'ops  it,  an' 
never  goes  back  to  Messrs.  Oates,  not  nohow.  Well,  then  I picks 
up  with  this  'ere  coffee-house  stunt,  wot  only  staffs  itself  with  dis- 
abled men,  an'  that  were  all  right  for  a time,  seein'  as  'ow  I could 
sit  on  a stool  'arf  of  the  hours,  there  bein'  no  one  cornin'  an'  me 
havin'  to  'ave  a 'arf-time  sitting  job;  that's  rule  numberTwo." 

44  Well,  why  didn't  that  go  on  1" 

44  Oh  Far-ther  1"  said  he,  very  plaintively.  44  Now  do  you  see 
me  at  it  ? See  me  settin'  on  a stool  an'  'andin'  out  cups  o'  coffee, 
one  per  hour,  to  respec'ble  folks,  or  tea  most  like,  not  to  call  it  tea, 
an'  save  in  the  evenin',  just  as  we're  goin'  to  close,  never  a soul 
wot'll  appreciate  me  conversation  save  now  an'  again  a taxi7driver 
wot's  in  the  Salvation  Army  simultaneous.  Now  if  it  had  been  one 
of  them  coffee-stalls  at  'Yde  Park  Corner  like,  open  all  night,  an' 
just  wot's  wanted  for — well,  you  knows  for  'oo — the  early  mornin' 
worm,  anyways,  an'  the  fly-by-nights  wot  cops  'em — now  that  was 
me  ; but  they're  'ard  to  come  by." 

44  So  you  chucked  it  ?" 

44  Say  rather  it  chucks  me.  I won't  lie  to  you,  nor  would  I.  I 'as 
me  couple,  one  day,  feelin'  I'd  go  roarin'  mad  if  I didn't.  An'  a nice 
little  bust  it  were.  An'  drunk  I was,  I'm  not  denyin'  it.  An'  talk  a 
bit  I did,  I make  no  doubt;  an'  cop  a p'liceman  under  the  chin  with 
a saucer  I make  no  doubt  I did;  which  it  were  required  fer  the  sauce 
'e  was  out-pourin'  onto  me,  it  sure  were;  not  but  wot  I give  it  'im 
back  with  a ounce  or  two  o'  pepper  added  an'  I loves  to  think  of  it ; 
but  they  fires  me,  after  that,  an'  'ere  I am." 

44  Where's  here  ?" 

44  Well,  I has  a stall  in  'Addock  Road:  Isle  o'  Dogs  way — meat- 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  39 

stall  But  that's  only  good  o'  nights,  Saturdays  specially*  But  you 
look  'ere*  'Tain't  wot  it  was*  Wot  can  you  give  'em  for  twopence 
nowadays  ? Nothink*  Why,  the  scraps  an'  skins  alone  comes  to 
more  nor  twopence,  prices  bein'  wot  they  are,  an'  it's  the  bone  as 
counts.  An'  when  I tried  to  'elp  it  out  a bit  with  stale  buns  an'  bits 
as  you  gets  off  the  eat  'ouses  day  before,  the  bun-stalls  objects,  an' 
says  that's  their  monopoly*  An'  when  me  leg  'urts,  shout  I cannot* 
Not  to  rival  'im  wot's  opposite  side  o'  the  road  as  was  A*S*C*  I make 
no  doubt,  or  anyways,  never  stopped  one*  'Aven't  got  the  'eart  for 
shoutin'*  Want  to  be  let  alone,  more  like,  an'  curl  up  in  me  comer* 
Shoutin'  ? Naow." 

44  What  d'you  do  during  the  day-time  ?" 

44  Parcels*  Open  a door  or  two*  'Ave  a bit  of  a gamble  now  an' 
again,  an'  gets  me  gate-money  for  the  football*  But  ail  the  places 
is  monopoly,  down  to  the  opening  of  taxi-doors*" 

At  this  point  the  neighbouring  Cathedral  came  into  my  mind* 
He  had  practically  finished  his  meal* 

44  Frank,"  I said,  44  whenever  I come  to  London,  if  I'm  in  this 
neighbourhood,  I look  in  at  our  Cathedral,  round  the  corner*  I 
always  go  to  see  how  the  mosaics  are  getting  on*  Besides,  it's  a 
great  place,  and  I like  it*" 

44  Very  good,"  said  he;  44  toddle  along*" 

But  at  the  steps  in  Ambrosden  Avenue,  he  halted,  and  said: 
44  Don't  be  too  long,  Far-ther  1" 

44  Well,"  I said, 44  you  aren't  going  to  stop  out  there  ?" 

44  Sure  thing,"  said  he;  44  you  don't  see  me  cornin'  into  these 
grand  places  with  clothes  like  this  on  me  ? If  I'd  known  I was  to 
meet  you,  I'd  have  got  meself  up  in  me  nifty  blue  serge  an'  me 
clarssy  yellow  boots,  and  me  bowler  'at*" 

Frank  was  wearing  no  collar,  but  a large  handkerchief  knotted 
round  his  neck;  and  his  frayed  coat  cuffs  had  worked  themselves 
so  far  up  that  quite  three  inches  of  his  extraordinary  tattooing  (which 
began  on  his  chest  and  between  his  shoulder-blades  and  came  right 
down  to  his  wrists)  were  visible*  So  I concluded  he  wore  a sleeve- 
less vest,  only,  beneath  his  coat* 

44  No  one  worries  here  about  clothes,"  I said,  44  or  shouldn't  do* 
Anyway,  who's  going  to  have  the  cheek  to  criticize  ? You're  my 
friend,  aren't  you,  and  you're  along  with  me*  Where  I go,  you  can* 
If  anyone  makes  remarks,  you'll  hear  me  make  some;  that  I promise 
you*  But  the  point  is,  this  isn't  a grand  place*  Or  if  it  is,  it's  because 
it's  God's  house  and  He's  good  enough  to  let  the  two  of  us  into  it*" 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


40 

He  followed  me  rather  moodily. 

But  in  that  enormous  place  he  was  unable  to  maintain  the  mood. 
In  that  exempted  air,  the  associations  of  44  outside  ” dissolved.  That 
was  always  the  first  impression.  From  the  massive,  turbid  air  of 
London,  swirling  with  energies  and  passion,  this  great  hollow  of 
silence  and  immobility  had  been  exempted;  it  was  a cathedral-under- 
the-sea;  a church  in  the  mountain's  heart;  true  sanctuary.  Up  to 
its  walls,  and  on  them,  and  down  upon  its  roofs,  pressed  and  strained 
all  the  dense  work  of  London;  the  interwoven  effort;  the  impulse, 
irresistible,  out  there,  of  humanity;  packed  thoughts  and  judgments, 
condensed  endeavour;  but  here,  all  had  been  flung  back  by  these 
vaults  and  these  straight  walls;  here  was  an  interspace,  a vacuum, 
where  we  might  be  admitted  and  yet  draw  breath,  living  otherwise. 

Frank  stood  still,  automatically,  at  the  bottom,  looking  with  anxious, 
unaccustomed  eyes,  up  the  enormous  nave,  flooded  with  faint  fog, 
offering  but  few  outlines  for  his  eyes  to  fasten  on — a dim  altar# 
built  beneath  great  columns;  a gigantic,  shadowy  cross,  that  floated 
dark  and  high.  I could  see  him  sink,  almost,  into  a dream,  the 
dream  of  relief  that  comes  when  pressures  are  gone;  loads  removed; 
a peace,  in  which  thought  had  no  more  to  be  restless,  nothing  had 
to  be  done . 

But  after  a few  moments  you  became  aware  that  the  cathedral  was 
living  its  own  life;  this  was  no  vacuum;  this,  if  any,  was  the  focus  of 
force;  this  was  the  reality,  sending  off  waves  of  energy  through  the 
shadowy  unstable  elements  that  tumultuously  surged  outside  it,  else, 
without  form  and  void.  An  incomparable  life,  generating  its  own 
low  thunderous  voices,  luminous  with  what  was  neither  night  nor 
day;  a life  indeed  that  seemed  to  me  not  just  diffused,  but  having 
its  own  heart,  welling  up  most  of  all  over  there,  at  the  left,  far  down 
the  church,  where  a few  lights  twinkled  and  you  could  see,  now,  a 
kneeling  blackness,  worshippers  looking  all  one  way.  ♦ . ♦ 

Obedient  to  I know  not  v/hat  instinct  I led  the  Corporal  away 
from  that,  to  the  right,  where  even  the  brilliant  adornment  of  these 
chapels  remained  veiled  and  indistinguishable  at  this  hour,  just 
shadows  upon  shadows,  not  interfered  with  by  the  myriad  starry 
points  of  gold. 

We  went  right  up  to  the  Lady  Chapel  and  sat  down  on  two  chairs 
near  the  back  of  it. 

He  let  himself  sink  heavily  and  sighed.  He  was  certainly  very 
tired. 

I let  him  remain  in  silence  as  long  as  he  wished. 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


4i 


Then  he  said: 

“ I was  silly  about  them  clothes*  I ain't  got  no  blue  serge,  nor  I 
ain't  got  nothing  but  this  cap*  I were  ashamed  of  lettin'  on  to  you 
about  it — I '' 

But  his  words  broke  ocf,  and  he  remained  silent  once  more, 
held  hypnotized  by  a candle  near  to  the  Lady  Altar* 

After  a pause  he  said: 

“ Reckon  there's  another  thing  I'll  tell  you*  That  there  cinema 
shouting  wasn't  the  first  thing  I did  after  leavin'  me  pal;  that  were 
0*K*;  I did  stay  with  that  pal  of  mine  you  knows  on  for  a bit,  an' 
we  'ad  a good  time,  but  it  stands  to  reason  that  bit  o'  money  wouldn't 
last;  so  we  goes  down  to  Brighton  an'  we  starts  s ingin'  on  the  beach, 
reckonin'  on  its  bein'  good  sport  an'  bringin'  in  enough  to  starve  on* 
But  it's  truth  I'm  tellin'  you;  I didn't  go  down  a bit,  not  me  songs  or 
patter.  I'm  meanin'*  Odd,  ain't  it  ? Now  in  the  army  it  was  me 
for  them,  every  time*  Concerts,  but  still  more  the  sing-songs  wot 
happened  informal,  or  as  you  knows,  in  the  wards*  Yarns  by  the 
'undred  I 'ad;  an'  songs;  an'  there  was  a good  few  as  could  be  sung 
anywheres,  in  public  like,  no  matter  'oo's  listenin'*  Al-ways  went 
down*  Always  welcome*  Reckon  there's  something  special  in  the 
army*  Ready  to  accept  cheerful,  the  lads  is*  Provided  you  knows 
wot's  wot  and  aren't  offensive,  which  you  soon  picks  up  'ow  not  to 
be,  pals  they  all  is,  an'  chums  up  automatic  and  accepts  wot  you 
'ands  out  real  friendly*  That's  wot  I found,  anyways*  And  'avin' 
a bit  more  cheek  than  most,  I reckon,  I kept  on  at  it  an'  put  it  down 
to  me  own  superior  cleverness  an'  winnin'  ways*  Wrote  meself 
down  irresistible,  I aid*  * * * But  on  that  beach — course  they'd 
gather  round,  an'  they'd  laugh  a bit;  but  then  slide  along,  never  a 
thank  you,  never  a shout  to  come  an'  'ave  a friendly  one;  or  rare  as 
honesty,  that  was*  I reckon  there  weren't  nothin'  special  about 
me  after  all*  Just  one  more  v/ounded  sojer,  cadgin'  coins  an'  too 
lazy  to  work*  * * * An'  that's  where  I first  struck  monopolies* 
Reckon  the  beach  should  be  free,  if  nowhere  else*  But  never  a bit 
of  it*  Marked  out,  it  were,  'xcept  where  no  one  goes*  Shoved  off, 
you  was,  fer  plantin'  yerself  on  the  next  man's  claim*  * ♦ *" 

“ That'll  have  disheartened  you  a lot  ?" 

44  Well,  I keeps  cornin'  up  like  the  cork  you  called  me*  Down  I 
wouldn't  stay,  nor  will*  But  there's  something  changed  like  in  me* 
When  I think  of  'ow  I shouted  to  fetch  'em  in  to  that  there  Spinx 
I told  you  on,  or  even  for  me  old  tripe  barrow — why,  it  was  me,  the 
show  was;  "come  an'  listen  to  Kid  Newnes,'  the  sayin'  was;  but 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


43 

now ? Love  you  ! it's  'ollow  like,  me  shoutin'  is,  something's 

gone  out  of  me,  an'  'e  won't  come  back." 

44  Don't  you  really  want  to  get  something  a bit  more  settled  ?" 

44  Well,  could  I?"  he  said.  44  Money  ? I can't  keep  it.  And 
you  wants  money  to  get  anything  worth  'avin'  on  your  own." 

44  Yes,  but  need  it  be  on  your  own  ? Won't  you  have  to  get  a 
job  under  someone  who'll  certainly  be  master,  and  you  work — with 
him,  of  course,  but — well,  take  orders  1" 

“ Ar,"  he  said; 44  but  could  I ? Could  I ?" 

44  You  did  in  the  army." 

44  And  if  it  wasn't  for  me  leg  wouldn't  I go  straight  back  to  it." 

“ Well,  shift  the  spirit  you  liked  there  into  civilian  conditions." 

44  Can't  be  done.  The  army's  spoilt  me  for  everything  but  army. 
Restless  I was  before,  in  a way,  but  put  me  'ole  'eart  into  all  I did; 
an'  I'm  restless  still,  but  I can't  put  me  'eart  into  nothing." 

44  But  you  can't  possibly  go  through  life  like  that.  You  can't 
make  a life  out  of  that.  I'd  give  you  a lot  of  scope  for  variety  and 
change,  but  you  must  have  some  thread  running  through  it  to  hold 
it  together." 

44  Why  ?" 

“ Well,  you  won't  always  be  able  to  hop  from  one  thing  to  another. 
You'll  grow  old.  You'll  want  something  permanent  to  give  you 
the  necessary  foundation  l" 

44  Ar.  Don't  talk  about  growin'  old  !" 

“ Well,  but  you  will.  At  least  I hope  so." 

44  An'  I 'opes  not , not  if  it's  to  mean  slavery.  Ow  ! don't  I feel 
'appy,"  said  he,  wriggling  his  shoulders,  44  when  I knows  I'm  not 
tied  down  by  hours  and  wages  an'  wot  not,  not  even  to  a 'ouse,  but 
doss  where  handy.  See  me  marchin'  down  the  street,  limp  or  no 
limp,  feelin'  meself  naked-like,  ready  to  fly  like,  fly  without  a aero- 
plane, but  me — jest  me " said  he,  in  ecstasy. 

After  a moment  he  resumed. 

44  Not  but  what  I am  a simple  innercent  kid,  or  was,  though  me 
thinkin'  I knew  the  world  backwards  ! Remember  me  askin'  you 
if  you'd  come  an'  see  me  in  'Olloway  ? Thinkin'  as  'ow  all  I'd  'ave 
to  do  would  be  to  'op  out  of  'ospital  straight  into  them  old  digs  ? 
Never  so  much  as  occurred  to  me  they'd  not  be  there  for  me.  No- 
thing there;  nothing  the  same;  not  the  landlady,  not  the  rents,  not 
me  friends.  An'  not  me.  Changed  it  all  is,  an'  me  with  it.  Brought 
down  a lot,  I am." 

I locked  up  to  where,  through  an  arch,  I could  just  see  the  great 


MR-  FRANCIS  NEWNES  43 

crucifix,  pale  now,  with  a slight  reflected  light,  and  forming  a high, 
uplifted  point  to  which  all  the  lines  of  the  Cathedral  seemed  to 
converge-  I stared  and  stared  at  the  Crucifix,  and  since  I knew  it 
well,  I felt  that  I could  see  the  gaunt  rigid  figure  upon  it,  nailed, 
immovable,  pierced  right  through,  scarcely  a man  at  all,  scarcely  a 
dead  slave  - - - 

44  Wot  are  you  thinkin'  of  ?”  said  Frank- 

44 1 think  I was  thinking  you  might  have  to  be  brought  down  all 
the  way — right  down — before  you  can  start  on  the  life  I so  much 
hope  for  you-” 

44  Was  you,”  he  said,  with  mock  indignation-  44  You  was  ? Well, 
I won't  'ave  it-  Tell  you  wot  I've  bin  thinkin'in  this  rum  old  church 
of  yours,  though  Mr-  Francis  Newnes  inside  of  a church  is  the 
rummest  start  of  any-  Time  was  when  I looked  forward  to  'avin' 
a little  pub-  of  me  own,  why,  'ave  it  in  the  country,  even,  I would 
'ave,  I was  that  set  upon  it-  But  I reckon  that's  far  away-  Now, 
wot  I might  'ave  in  the  corner  of  me  eye,  p'raps  and  p'raps  not,  is 
a little  fried  fish  shop  down  Stepney  way,  somethink  special  an'  out 
of  the  ordinary  an'  worthy  of  me,  me  not  bein'  ordinary,  as  you  fave 
to  own-  I might  even  see  'ow  to  raise  the  necessary,  borrowin'  a 

bit  off  one  or  two  I knows  on,  an'  payin'  gradual ” his  eyes  lit 

up;  he  saw  the  flaming  window  of  his  shop,  aglow  through  the 
Cathedral- 

44  Ow's  that  for  settled  life  an'  the  golden  thread  ?”  he  asked/ 
rather  too  loud  for  where  we  were- 

“ I don't  like  the  borrowing,”  I said-  44  But — well,  anything  to 
give  you  some  sort  of  a purpose  in  life  ! Else  we'll  have  you  going 
to  bits,  and  that  won't  do-  Now  look,  Frank,  come  and  I'll  give  you 
a glass  of  beer,  as  it's  late  enough  by  now,  and  then  I have  to  be  off- 
I have  to  see  a man  at  dinner  and  catch  the  9-30  back  to  Wilchurch-” 

We  parted  soon  after  that,  he  swearing  every  oath  that  he'd  write 
and  let  me  know  how  he  was  thriving- 


Chapter  VI 

I WAS  on  my  way  to  Barbara's  birthday  party  when  I met  Blake* 
u Blake  !"  I cried,  “ for  Heaven's  sake  come  along  with  me 
to  the  Travers's*  It's  Barbara's  birthday;  there'll  be  a mob, 
but  if  you  and  I go  together,  we  can  support  one  another  in  the  back- 
ground* I’ve  got  to  go*" 

“ As  a matter  of  fact  I was  going  there  myself,"  said  he.  “ But  if 
there's  going  to  be  a crowd  * * ♦" 

**  Well,  we'll  back  one  another  up*  We  needn't  talk  to  anyone. 
But  wait  a minute  1 Old  Lady  Sophia'll  be  there*  Lady  Sophia 
Lindale — Barbara's  great-aunt*  She's  rather  terrifying,  but  as 
good  as  gold,  and  she'll  love  you  if  you  stand  up  to  her*  ♦ ♦ ♦ I'll 
introduce  you*" 

" Oh,  Lord,"  he  groaned; 44  this  is  awful  1 I'm  not  good  at  great- 
aunts,  and  anyhow,  I tell  you  I'm  getting  downright  self-conscious, 
keeping  on  going  to  that  house  ! Keep  thinking  they'll  be  thinking 
— oh,  all  sorts  of  things,"  he  wound  up  lamely* 

44  People  don't  think  about  one*  They  just  notice  one  vaguely 
and  then  float  off  to  something  else*  Most  chastening*  * Oh,  here's 
— er — Captain  Blake,  isn't  it  ? I believe  he  manages  all  the  un- 
employed or  something*  What  a lot  of  soldiers  there  are  about 
still  1 By  the  way,  how  is  your  dear  nephew  ? ' " 

44  Yes,"  he  said,  indignantly;  44  Or,  4 Here's  that  Roman  priest* 
Extraordinary  how  priests  work  their  way  in  everywhere*  * * * Of 
course,  the  Travers's  are  so  kind * But,  talking  of  priests,  the  dear 

Archdeacon  said  to  me  yesterday  * * ♦' " 

“ Quite  so*  You  obviously  know  all  about  it*" 

44  But  I very  much  hope,"  he  said,  with  a portentous  sigh, 44  Miss 
Travers  notices  me  a little  more  than  that*" 

44  She  falls,"  I said, 44  into  obvious  ecstasy  on  sight  of  you*" 

44  No,  no,  I say  ! Look  here,  you  mustn't  pull  my  leg  about  Miss 
Travers  !" 


44 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


45 

I grinned  and  squeezed  his  elbow,  and  we  arrived  thus  at  the 
Travers's  door* 

The  room  was  full,  and  at  first  I thought  I knew  no  one.  How- 
ever, there  sat  Lady  Sophia,  bolt  upright  on  a sort  of  throne,  occu- 
pied with  a charming  and  excessively  cheeky  boy  of  seventeen,  called 
Cecil  Calthrop,  who  was  probably  the  only  person  in  the  room, 
except  Barbara,  who  could  manage  her*  What  Barbara  did  with 
Blake,  I couldn't  quite  see ; I know  she  swept  him  from  me,  and  then 
steered  me  miles  away  towards  a very  hatted  and  pearly  lady  whom 
I didn't  know,  though,  when  Barbara  murmured  introductions,  I 
thought  she  said  we'd  * met ';  and  then  she  left  me  with  a glint  of 
obvious  malice  in  her  eye* 

The  lady  looked  annoyed,  and  went  on  looking  it*  I could  see 
she  took  me  for  one  of  the  thronging  Wilchurch  curates,  and  gradually 
I realized  that  she  was  wanting,  inside,  to  get  attached  to  Lady 
Sophia's  group,  and  I was  preventing  her* 

She  began  to  talk  very  rapidly  of  the  miseries  of  the  Wilchurch 
climate,  and  how  she  wouldn't  dream  of  being  out  of  London  just 
then,  if  she  hadn't  felt  she  really  ought  to  take  pity  on  her  husband, 
for  a change,  though  really  she  had  been  thinking  of  the  Riviera, 
44  though  nowadays,"  she  said,  fingering  her  pearls,  44  everything 
is  so  fearfully  expensive  1 But  perhaps  you  don't  know  the  Riviera  ?" 
She  looked  sideways  at  me,  lifting  her  eyebrows. 

I murmured  something* 

44  Of  course,"  she  went  on,  44 1 simply  couldn't  live  without  it; 
but  I daresay  you  wouldn't  enjoy  it*  I go  at  all  seasons  ! At  the 
very  time  the  Travers's  were  at  Lourdes  last  year,  was  at  Monte  * 
Wasn't  that  terrible,  padre  ?" 

Her  voice  was  shrill,  and  carried*  Cecil  Calthrop  caught  her  eye* 

“ Why  ?"  called  he  across  the  room.  “ Had  you  got  into  trouble 
there  or  something,  Mrs.  Vale  ?" 

“ I thought,  of  course,  the  padre  might  object  to  my  being  at 
Monte." 

“ Far  from  it,"  I said,  fervently* 

“ Oh,  it's  quite  as  bad  as  it's  painted,"  she  said,  piqued,  and 
suspicious  of  Cecil's  chuckle* 

“ I'm  told,"  said  Lady  Sophia,  “ that  all  those  lovely  places  are 
quite  spoilt*" 

She  said  it  to  Cecil,  but  Mrs*  Vale  felt  herself  admitted  into  the 
circle,  and  changed  her  chair  to  one  on  my  left  so  that  she  could 
speak  more  easily* 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


46 

44  Of  course,  the  poor  dear  Theatre-people ” she  began* 

44  I was  not  speaking  of  theatre  folks,  my  dear,”  said  Lady  Sophia* 

44  They  have  the  right  to  be  vulgar,  and  so  they  aren't*  Besides, 
my  kinsman,  St*  Ermyn,  married  a charming  girl  from  the  variety 
stage*  I meant  people  who  have  no  right  to  be  vulgar*” 

44  But  one  should  be  grateful  to  them,”  cried  Cecil*  44  Theatre 
folks  are  so  discreet  nowadays  that  if  the  others  didn't  look  so 
theatrical,  no  one  would  know  which  v/as  which*” 

She  smiled  at  him  indulgently* 

44  We  have  abdicated,”  she  said*  44  Pleasure  for  its  own  sake  is 
usually  vulgar*  Luxury  for  its  own  sake  always  is*  We  were 
brought  up  to  be  able  to  use  luxury  and  to  do  without  it*  The 
ball-rooms  were  gorgeous,  but  the  bedrooms— oh  dear  me  l Fires, 
my  dear  ? Not  we  1” 

44  A splendid  Sparta,”  he  murmured* 

44  What  I disliked  at  Monte  Carlo,”  said  I to  Mrs*  Vale,  who  after 
a gasp,  looked  almost  respectfully  at  me, 44  was  the  children*  Curled 
and  frizzed  and  doliified  until  they  weren't  human*  That,  and  the 
pigeon  shooting*” 

She  recovered  herself* 

44  There  was  plenty  of  skill  in  the  pigeon  shooting,”  she  declared, 
44  though  perhaps  you  wouldn't  notice  that*  Do  you  shoot  ? Or 
perhaps  you  don't — er — approve  of  sport*  I notice  clergymen 
often  don't'' 

44  Perhaps  not,”  I said*  44  I don't  know  many;  but  the  last  bull- 
fight I was  at — — ” 

This  time  she  really  looked  astonished* 

44  I confess  it  was  also  the  first*  Certainly  I hated  it,  though  it 
was  most  skilful*  * * * At  Nimes,  you  know,  but  Spanish  matadors 
and  bulls — but  perhaps  you  don't  go  in  for  bull-fighting*” 

44  I've  certainly  never  seen  a bull-fight*” 

44  Neither  should  I,  if  I hadn't  been  hung  up  there  on  my  way  to 
Lourdes*” 

44  Dear  me  ! Did  you  go  to  Lourdes,  too  ? I'd  have  thought 

you Oh  well,  after  all.  I've  been  myself  and  I confess  I 

don't  believe  in  Lourdes,  either*” 

44  What  do  you  mean  by  4 either  ' ?” 

44  Well,  I suppose  I ought  to — but  you " 

44  If  you  ought  to — well,  you  ought  to  1 But  why  ought  you  to  ? 
And  why  oughtn't  I ?” 

44  Of  course,”  she  said, 44  I make  a point  of  never  dragging  religion 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  47 

into  general  conversation*  But  personally  I'm  a Catholic*  Roman 
Catholic*  In  fact,  a convert/'  she  said  firmly* 

44  Oh — well — I'm  a Catholic  priest  myself  after  all  1" 

44  Oh — High  Church  I suppose*  But — well,  I own  I'm  broad- 
minded, but  I can't  allow  you're  priests,  you  know;  oh  no  ! But  do 
let's  talk  of  something  else*" 

44  But  I assure  you  I'm  the  genuine  article ! Roman,  Papist, 
black  as  black  !" 

44  But — good  heavens  ! I quite  understood — well — I jumped  to 
the  conclusion,  when  Barbara  Travers  introduced  you,  you  were  one 
of  the  Cathedral  clergy  I" 

44  Do  I look  it  ? Nothing  so  respectable*" 

44  I'm  afraid  I don't  know  the  Catholic  clergy  here*  I — well,  I 
am  here  very  little*  You're  always  here  ?" 

44  Except  when  he's  at  Monte  or  bull-fighting,"  said  Cecil* 

44  Oh  do  please  let's  talk  of  something  else,"  cried  Mrs*  Vale* 

44  Well,"  said  1, 44  if  we  mustn't  talk  about  religion  or  roulette, 
what  shall  we  talk  about  ?" 

44  My  dear  Father,"  said  Lady  Sophia,  44  do  not  let  us  talk  about 
anything  else  for  a moment,  because,  my  dear,"  she  said  to  Mrs* 
Vale,  44  since  we  clearly  may  mention — ah  ! — roulette  in  general 
conversation,  why  not  our  much  more  dignified  religion  ?" 

44 1 always  feel  it's  somehow  rather  bad  taste——"  she 
began* 

Lady  Sophia's  eyebrows  went  up*  Then  she  relented,  but 
dangerously* 

44  Like  talking  about  one's  ancestors,"  she  said*  44  Or  one's  pearls* 
/ see  I" 

44  Of  course,  it's  very  wonderful  to  feel  about  it  like  that,"  said 
Mrs*  Vale,  wishing  she  hadn't  put  her  necklace  on  at  tea-time*  44  I 
do  myself  sometimes — I remember  I did  when  I was  first  received 
and  someone  told  me  I'd  joined  the  religion  of  the  scullery*  * * *" 

44  So  they  did  me,"  said  Cecil ; 44  and  next  time  I called  I rang 
the  area  bell  and  sent  up  my  card  from  the  kitchen — wouldn't  come 
up  till  I was  fetched*" 

4 Sculleries,"  said  Lady  Sophia,  44  are  often  cleaner  than  the 
drawing-room*  It  is  true  I don't  often  visit  them,  but  I dare  say 
there's  not  much  to  choose  between  sculleries  and  carpenters'  shops* 
My  first  ancestor  did  carpentering,  my  dear*" 

44  But  how  interesting,"  began  Mrs*  Vale*  Then  she  saw,  said 
44  Oh  1"  and  collapsed* 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


48 

44  My  spiritual  mamma/'  said  Cecil,  to  the  rescue,  44  was  a quite 
too  charming  demoiselle  in  a confectioner's  at  Havre." 

44  My  dear  boy  J"  said  Lady  Sophia,  tapping  his  arm. 

44  Sure  thing,  ma  tante ♦ I adore  coffee  fondants  and  till  I'd  set 
going  a really  passionate  affaire  she  wouldn't  pick  'em  out  for  me. 
But  afterwards  all  went  well.  ♦ ♦ . Then  one  Sunday  she  took  me 
to  High  Mass  at  St.  Michel's.  I didn't  like  the  High  Mass,  but 
there  was  a warm  corner  in  that  church  where  I could  go  and  eat 
my  fondants  and  contemplate  a certain — er — statue.  It  was  sym- 
bolical. Which'd  I choose?  I confronted  the  two — er — ideals. 
Which'd  I concentrate  on  ? Fondants  ? or  the  other  ? I decided 
fondants  were  too — well,  fondant  as  a basis  for  life.  I substituted 
coffee  walnuts.  Still  too  sweet.  Remarkable  chapel,  that.  Sacred 
Heart  chapel.  Lady  Sophia.  On  the  left  at  the  bottom.  " 

44  My  dear  child,"  she  cried.  44  Havre  doesn't  attract  me.  But 
you  must  have  been  a mere  infant  then,  so  that  I needn't  worry 
about  that  flirtation  1" 

44  Oh,  but  think  of  my  appalling  career  ever  since,  godmamma  !" 

44 I think  of  it,  godson,  with  the  greatest  satisfaction." 

44  I touches  my  cap,"  said  he.  “ But  the  real  shove  was  given 
me  by  another  girl  in  a little  music  hall  in  the  docks  there,  a bit  later. 
Some  music  hall,  godmamma  ! Most  maritime  ! All  sailors  but 
me.  I expected  to  be  knifed,  or  doped,  at  the  least.  I'd  ordered 
coffee.  What  a hope  ! Coffee  nothing  ! I made  'em  break  the 
neck  of  a brandy-bottle  so  that  I could  be  sure  what  I was  drinking 
hadn't  been  tampered  with.  I poured  the  coffee  out  on  to  the  floor. 
And  then  I made  the  girl  tell  me  what  the  medal  she  was  wearing 
was,  and  it  was  Our  Lady  of  Lourdes,  and  she  began  to  cry  and 
poured  out  her  drink  on  to  the  floor.  Such  a mess  ! So  I went  to 
Lourdes  like  the  rest  of  us,  apparently,  and  that  finished  me." 

44  And  that  reminds  me,"  said  Lady  Sophia,  determined  to  change 
the  subject,  44  and  why  don't  you  believe  in  Lourdes,  my  dear,  if 
you  think  you  ought  to  ?" 

44  Oh — well,  after  all,  one  needn't,  need  one  ? And  I live  quite 
among  non-Catholics,  you  know,  and  one  wants  to  show  one's  broad- 
minded, and  not  to  make  things  harder  for  them  . ♦ . and,  well, 
I did  go  to  Lourdes  once;  we  were  staying  at  Pau,  and  motored  over 
with  the  Ecclesleighs.  But  I didn't  see  anything  like  a miracle, 
and  I didn't  enjoy  it — all  the  horrid  crowds  ! So  I made  dear  Lord 
Eck  and  Ecclesleigh  take  me  off  to  Gavarnie  for  the  day." 

44  I bet  Hughie  wanted  to  stop  at  Lourdes,"  said  Cecil. 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


49 

44  Don't  know  him  well  enough  to  judge/'  said  Lady  Sophia. 
44  But  his  great-aunt,  Susan,  was  a nice  woman,  though  prehistoric. 
But,  of  course,  my  dear,  there's  nothing  quite  so  easy  as  not  to  see 
what  you're  not  looking  for  1" 

44  I'm  always  seeing  things  I don't  look  for,"  said  Cecil,  44  or 
even  at." 

44  Don't  be  modern  and  paradoxical,  child  1"  said  she.  44  Some- 
times you're  very  annoying.  Because,  after  all,  there's  something 
in  what  you  say." 

44  But  isn't  there  something,  too,  in  the  modern  instinct  ?"  said 
Mrs.  Vale,  who  really  was  not  lacking  in  pluck.  44  That  things  like 
miracles  are  out  of  date  ?" 

44  There's  a deal  more  in  the  Catholic  instinct,"  said  Lady  Sophia, 
44  that  they're  neither  in  nor  out.  God  doesn't  trouble  about 
dates." 

But  the  room  was  thinning.  Mrs.  Vale  got  up  to  go. 

44  I'm  afraid  I've  shocked  you  terribly,  Lady  Sophia,"  she  said, 
as  she  shook  hands,  44  but  I have  got  my  poor  little  principles." 

Lady  Sophia  swallowed  her  rage  at  the  idea  that  anyone  short 
of  the  Queen  could  shock  her,  in  favour  of  this  assertion  of  principle, 
and  said  good-bye  most  pleasantly,  and  added: 

44 1 do  hope,  my  dear,  you'll  look  me  up  in  Curzon  Street,  if  you 
hear  I'm  in  London.  We  don't  entertain  at  Linborough  since  my 
nephew's  death.  My  second  nephew,  Odo,  who's  now  Lindisfarne, 
is  very  seldom  there.  But  in  London,  do  come.  Not  Mondays, 
unless  you  want  a crowd.  Any  other  day,  if  you'll  take  pity  on  an 
old  woman.  . . ♦ Good-bye !" 

Mrs.  Vale  retired,  walking  upon  air. 

44  By  no  means  a bad  woman,"  said  Lady  Sophia,  when  all  our 
little  group  had  gone.  44  But  very  silly." 

44  She  represses  excellent  instincts,"  said  Cecil,  44  under  second- 
rate  conventions.  Hence  her  absurd  behaviour." 

44  Imp  1"  cried  Lady  Sophia.  44  What  are  you  talking  about  ? 
And  what  should  you  know  about  it  ? She  might  be  your  mother 
twice  over." 

44  I doubt  it,"  said  he.  44  Barely  thirty-five." 

44  Detestable  child,"  she  cried,  44  hold  your  tongue.  Barbara, 
my  dear,  is  she  a friend  of  yours  ?" 

44  She  showed  great  pluck,"  said  Barbara,  44  when  she  became  a 
Catholic.  It  certainly  did  seem  like  the  scullery  for  her.  She 
knew  no  one.  And  nobody  seemed  to  want  to  know  her.  I can't 

4 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


5o 

imagine  a conversion  more  an  affair  of  conviction,  for  I don't  think 
she  was  ever — well,  devote.” 

44  And  I could  tell  you  young  people,"  said  Mr.  Travers,  who 
came  in  after  the  guests  had  gone,  for  functions  tired  him  nowa- 
days, 44  that  she's  stuck  to  it  in  harder  conditions  than  you'd  prob- 
ably guess.  I respect  Mrs.  Vale,  in  spite  of  her  silly  little  ways. 
She's  still  cut  off  from  a lot,  and  apt  to  fight  for  crumbs." 

44  I'll  see  to  it  that  she  doesn't  have  to  do  that  now,"  said  Lady 
Sophia.  44  She'll  respond.  She's  second-rate  now,  but  she'll 
become  first-rate  when  once  she  meets  the  first-rate." 

Cecil  whistled. 

44  And  the  first-rate's  you , venerable  lady  ?"  he  asked,  almost  too 
cheekily. 

Lady  Sophia  levelled  her  brows  at  him. 

44  I'm  proud,"  she  said,  44  of  all  the  breeding  God  has  given  me. 
The  best  of  my  breeding  has  been  the  Catholic  religion.  I've  had 
several  generations  of  other  good  breeding,  too.  And  I'm  proud  of 
the  lot.  She  shall  learn  to  be  proud  of  her  Catholicism  for  its  own 
sake,  even  if  I have  to  use  my  other  assets  as  a make-weight.  And 
she  shall  learn  to  stop  propitiating  upstarts  by  petty  little  broad- 
mindednesses and  finicky  unorthodoxy.  Yes,  I'm  very  proud  of 
the  goodness  of  God's  gifts  to  me — and  not  conceited  like  you,  Cecil 
Calthrop,"  she  added,  smiling  suddenly. 

44  Oh,  not  conceited ,"  he  cried.  44  Don't  say  that.  A little  vain, 
perhaps.  Childishly,  but  quite  charmingly.  Give  me  time.  I'll 
grow  out  of  it.  Meanwhile  I,  too,  has  me  principles.  ..." 

44  I've  never  heard  such  a lot  about  principles,"  said  Blake, 
abruptly,  44  till  I came  to  this  house  ! I'm  sure  I understood  what 
she  said  about  instincts  better.  I should  say  that  if  your  instincts 
are  tolerably  all  jright,  as  Mr.  Calthrop  said,  what  more  do  you 
want  ?" 

44  Tut,  tut,"  said  Lady  Sophia.  44  You've  got  to  have  a skeleton, 
though  Mrs.  Vale  would  say  it  was  bad  taste  to  talk  about  it.  But 
you've  got  to  have  it.  Such  a lot  of  young  people  are  filleted  nowa- 
days ! Though  I shouldn't  like  even  this  household  to  walk  about 
with  all  its  ribs  sticking  out." 

44  You  could  hook  your  umbrella,"  said  Cecil, 44  on  my  ribs." 

44  I value  it  too  much,"  she  said.  44  But  with  all  your  faults,  I 
wouldn't  call  you  ribby ." 

44  Padre,"  said  Blake, 44  help  me  out  a bit.  I bet  you  that  decent 
average  men,  real  good  men,  don't  know  much  about  their  prin- 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  51 

ciples  ! But  just  follow  instinct — feeling.  And  keep  that  sound  by 
mixing  with  other  decent  men.  Follow  their  conscience.  A sort 
of  general  decent  conscience.  What's  conscience  but  instinct,  after 
all  ?" 

44  A lot,"  I said.  44  But  I refuse  to  talk  about  conscience  in  a 
drawing-room.  As  Mrs.  Vale  would  say,  it  isn't  done*  I am  a shy 
Britisher." 

44  But  I ought  to  have  an  answer." 

44  The  answer,"  said  Barbara,  “ is  in  Cecil's  chapel  at  Havre." 

Cecil  had  shamelessly  helped  himself  to  a surviving  coffee-eclair, 
but  this  statement  so  startled  him  that  he  pinched  that  collapsible 
cake  harder  than  he  meant  to,  and  a jet  of  cream  shot  forth  from 
either  end. 

Amid  the  turmoil,  Blake  and  I escaped. 

“ What  did  she  mean  by  that  last  remark?"  he  said,  when  we  got 
outside. 

44  D'you  think  we're  all  mad  ?"  I asked. 

“ Not  mad ,"  he  said,  44  but  really  a bit  queer.  I'm  sure  I didn't 
understand  any  of  you.  Mrs.  Vale.  Is  she  what  you  call  a good 
Catholic  ? I'd  have  said  she  was  just  a worldly  sort  of  snob,  and 
if  you  met  her  at  Monte — well,  you'd  see  things  1 And  does  that 
young  blighter,  Calthrop,  mean  himself  to  be  taken  seriously  ? 
Either  he's  bluffing,  or  he's  a bit  of  a rip,  I should  say,  and  if  that's 
so,  I consider  it  irreverent  to  say  all  he  did  say  about  High  Mass 
and  that  chapel  and — look  here,  what  did  Miss  Travers  mean  ?" 

44  And  expect  you  find  it  hard  to  reconcile  Lady  Sophia's  religious 
belief  with  her  very  obvious  great-lady-ishness  ?" 

" Oh  well,  she's  another  generation." 

“ But  she's  as  alert  and  interested  as  ever  she  was  ! And  really 
she's  very  humble.  She  was  thinking  how  she  could  help  Mrs 
Vale  all  the  time.  And  she's  done  a lot  for  Calthrop." 

44  Young  blighter,"  he  repeated. 

" Well,  listen.  The  point  really  is  this:  What  would  he  and  Mrs. 
Vale  be  without  their  religion  ? It's  true  he's  never  had  to  fight 
outside  circumstances  as  Mrs.  Vale  has.  No  one  cared  a curse 
when  he  became  a Catholic,  or  if  they  did,  he  found  it  all  too  easy 
not  to  care  whether  they  cared.  He's  a horribly  independent  kid. 
But  he  has  had  to  fight  himself,  and  has  to  now.  He's  really  a lazy, 
sensual  young  cynic,  and  as  sceptical  as  if  he  were  forty;  he  certainly 
does  bluff  a good  deal,  but  also  he  takes  the — well,  deceptiveness  off 
his  bluffing  by  playing  the  obvious  fool,  and  meanwhile,  he's  very 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


52 

circumspectly  building  himself  up  with  the  help  of  the  most  rigid 
principles*  Yes — principles  ! And  as  for  Mrs*  Vale,  I remember 
all  about  her,  now*  She  became  a Catholic  more  or  less  as  a girl; 
then  she  married  a rich  man,  but  a lot  beneath  her,  and  he's  treated 
her  shockingly*  Nothing  could  be  easier  for  her  than  to  get  a 
divorce,  but,  as  a Catholic,  she  won't*  She's  cut  off  from  her  real 
environment,  and  she  can't — in  fact,  she  oughtn't  to — mix  with  his; 
so  she's  a lonely  woman  and  apt,  as  Mr*  Travers  said,  to  fight  for 
unimportant  crumbs  of  cake,  finding  the — er — Bread  of  Life  very 
dry  indeed*  Yes,  I mean  it*  She's  not  all  she  ought  to  be,  else 
probably  she  wouldn't  find  it  dry,  or  could  be  content  with  the  dry- 
ness; but  she's  got  it  in  her  to  learn;  she's  never  spoilt  her  palate; 
and  Lady  Sophia,  who  won't  flatter  her,  will  teach  her  how  mucky 
the  cake-crumbs  are*" 

44  Well,  but  I say,  what  did  Miss  Travers  mean  ? That's  what  I 
want  to  know*" 

44  I'll  tell  you  now,"  said  I*  44  Calthrop  mentioned  a Chapel  of 
the  Sacred  Heart*  By  the  Sacred  Heart  we  mean,  partly,  the  Love 
of  Jesus  Christ,  God  made  man  for  men * All  these  people  we've 
talked  about  have  a skeleton  of  4 principles,'  as  we've  said*  You 
wanted  4 feeling.'  Barbara  was  suggesting  you  were  both  right. 
She  meant,  a skeleton's  not  much  use  without — well,  flesh  on  it,  and 
unless  it's  alive  and  fully  human*  Well*  Jesus  Christ  is  that*  I've 
said  again  and  again  that  the  principles  you've  got  to  have  come 
from  God,  and  in  the  long  run  are  God*  But  God — took  flesh* 
The  whole  of  our  religion  is  Our  Lord,  Jesus  Christ*  A person. 
If  a man  once  gets  hold  of  that  he  needn't  theorize  much*  He  can 
let  himself  go  a good  deal  to  the  instincts  roused  in  him  by  associating 
with — well,  with  his  friend*  See  ?" 

44  By  Jove,"  he  said, 44  this  is  getting  into  deep  waters." 

44  There's  deeper  yet,"  I answered* 


Chapter  VII 

MEANWHILE,  the  Sergeant,  as  I still  found  it  difficult  not  to 
call  him,  was  getting  on  extremely  well  in  his  new  post* 
In  the  Travers's  house  he  wore  a cloth  suit,  but  when  he 
came  across  for  his  afternoon  work  at  the  Guild  offices  he  wore  grey 
flannel  trousers  and  a Norfolk  jacket,  and  they  suited  him  very  well* 
He  educated  himself  with  great  rapidity,  and,  living  as  he  did,  sur- 
rounded with  books  and  often  taking  down  reviews  of  them  in 
shorthand  and  then  typing  his  own  work  out,  he  was  becoming 
well-informed  and  able  to  express  himself  to  the  point*  I foresaw 
the  day  when  he  would  speak  quite  forcibly  and  reliably  in  public* 
I went  to  the  office  one  afternoon  and  saw  him  sitting  unusually 
upright  at  his  machine,  typing  away  with  an  air  of  importance*  A 
lady,  with  her  back  turned,  was  examining  books  in  a corner,  and 
in  the  dark  little  room  I didn't  even  try  to  see  who  she  was* 

**  Hullo,  Jack,"  I said,  going  up  to  him*  **  How's  life  ?•" 

“ Very  fair,  thank  you,  Father,"  said  he;  u I've  a bit  of  news  for 
you  later  on*  But  I think  here's  someone  you  know*" 

I turned  round,  and  lo,  Miss  Silver,  smiling  rather  nervously 
through  the  shadows* 

“ How  very  astonishing  !"  I cried,  and  shook  hands*  44  What  on 
earth  brings  you  here  ?" 

44 1 know  I ought  to  apologise  for  not  calling  first,"  she  said*  44  But 
every  now  and  again,  when  I'm  going  to  London,  I have  to  change 
at  Wilchurch,  and  between  the  two  trains  I just  have  time  to  slip 
up  here  and  look  at  this  dear  old  house  and  peer  round  the  library,. 
I know  how  busy  you  are,  and  I — I didn't  dare  to  let  you  know*" 

44 1 wish  you  had  ! However,  I'm  sure  Mr*  Raikes  has  done  the 
honours  properly*" 

The  Sergeant  didn't  look  round,  but  even  in  that  light  I could 
see  the  back  of  his  neck  get  quite  red* 

44  He's  been  most  helpful,"  she  said*  44  There  was  so  much  I 
wanted  to  ask,  and  he's  given  me  a lot  of  useful  names*" 

53 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


54 

“ How  are  things  going  at  Bidmoor  ?" 

44  Well — so  so  ! Better  than  worse,  I hope  ! But — well,  I've 
rather  quarrelled.  At  least  not  quarrelled , but  after  seeing  how  you 
all  went  to  work,  and  your  Lancashireman , I simply  couldn't  content 
myself  with  our  dilettante  little  meetings  about  Dante  and  Bees  and 
Futurism,  and  I said,  we  must  be  serious . And,  well,  you  know, 
they  wouldn't  be  serious.  I mean  they  always  took  themselves 
seriously,  of  course;  and  their  silly  little  way  of  being — well,  arch 
and  humorous,  and  having  silly  little  inner-circle  sort  of  catch- 
words isn't  what  I mean  by  not  being  serious.  ♦ ♦ ♦ But  I said  one 
day,  4 Look  here,  my  dear  people,  the  long  and  short  of  it  is  we're 
not  being  serious ♦ We're  very  ignorant.  We  never  work  back  to 
principles ' " 

I sighed.  The  44  principle-motif " had  been  rather  heavily 
played  upon,  I felt,  of  late.  However,  I applauded  her  sentiment. 

44  And  you  fell  out  on  that  ?" 

44  Well,  it  was  never  quite  the  same.  And  I and  two  or  three 
others"  (the  Sergeant  stopped,  with  his  fingers  in  the  air  . ♦ .), 
“ all  girls , I'm  afraid,  the  men  would  not  be  interested  " (the 
Sergeant  went  on  typing),  “ have  tried  to — well,  be  serious  as  well 
as  take  ourselves  seriously." 

44  What's  your  method  ?" 

44  Well,  we  sit  and  either  we  read  a bit  out  of  a newspaper,  or  even 
one  of  us  says  the  first  sentence  that  comes  into  her  head,  and  the 
moment  we  are  not  quite  sure  what  a sentence  means,  or  a word,  we 
stop,  and  say, 4 What  does  that  mean,  exactly  ?'  or  * My  dear,  what 
do  you  mean  exactly  by  44  democrat,"  or  44  convention,"  or — or 
“ psychic  " or  44  telepathy,"  ' and  if  we  can't  answer  we  fine  one 
another,  and  you'd  be  astonished  how  it  mounts  up  !" 

44  What  do  you  spend  it  on  ?" 

44  Well — we  thought  we  ought  to  have  a little  relaxation.  Choco- 
lates l" 

44  Excellent ! But  isn't  it  rather — scattered  ? Don't  you  want 
to  get  a little  more  shape  about  it  all  ?" 

44  Yes,  indeed  we  do  ! And  we  also  read  the  Guild's  Primer  of 
Social  Science,  and  were  astonished  to  find  how  commonsense  and 
un-Roman-Catholic  it  is — at  least,  I mean " she  hesitated* 

44  Yes,  yes,  of  course  ! You  mean  how  what  you  see  to  be 
naturally  right  and  just  is  part  and  parcel  of  Catholic  belief  and 
practice  ?" 

44  Well,  I was  going  to  say,  how  Catholics  seem  to  be  not  so  very 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  55 

special  in  this  department,  anyhow*  But  Til  put  it  in  your  way,  if 
you  like*” 

44  Well,  it's  a true  way*  I had  a friend  who  came  to  me 
seriously  annoyed,  because — he  was  a student  of  social  history — he 
said  he  was  afraid  he'd  got  to  become  a Catholic,  because  he  found 
that  whatever  he'd  independently  liked — liberty,  fraternity,  true 
methods  of  association,  and  so  on — were  not  only  essential  in  the 
Catholic  scheme,  but  had  been  always  taught  by  the  Church,  very 
clearly,  very  undilutedly,  and  for  reasons  both  commonsense  and 
sublime*” 

“ Dear  me,”  she  said, 44  how  very  odd*” 

44  No,”  I said,  44  if  the  Church  is  right  in  calling  herself  Catholic 
in  every  substantial  way*  She's  universal*  Nothing  that's  real — 
and  only  true  things  are  real — is  left  out  of  her,  and  all  of  all  of  it 
is  in  her*” 

44  That's  almost  a frightening  notion,  I should  think,  for  a Catholic* 
You'd  feel  you  had  so  much  more  than  you  can  manage*” 

44  It  manages  us,  or  ought  to*” 

44  Oh  dear,  Catholicism  is  so  very  different  from  what  I used  to 
think  it  was  1” 

44  Listen*  May  I make  you  a sort  of  explanation  ! Or  give  you 
— well,  just  topics  which  you  might  think  over;  and  if  any  appeal  to 
you  particularly,  work  those  out  a little*  I'm  sure  Mr*  Raikes  will 
be  able  to  put  you  on  to  the  right  books,  or  the  right  section  of  the 
library,  anyway;  then  you  might  go  on  arranging  your  trains  to 
London,  in  view  of  a visit  here  1” 

She  blushed  and  looked  away,  for  she'd  realized  that  I had  per- 
fectly well  recalled  there  was  no  reason  whatever  for  her  to  change 
at  Wilchurch  on  her  way  from  Bidmoor  to  London* 

“ Well,  I think  by  now  that  you  will  see  that  the  principles  of 
social  economics,  anyway,  that  you  can  recognize  as  valid  and 
enduring,  all  work  into  the  Catholic  scheme*  They  don't  anything 
like  exhaust  the  Catholic  doctrine  about  society,  but  if  you  examine 
the  Catholic  system,  you  find,  from  that  end,  that  it  possesses  elements 
that  include  your  valid  natural  principles  of  justice  and  human 
life,  and  so  on*  And  people  who  know,  tell  me  that  one  of  the 
most  marked  undercurrents  of  popular  feeling  and  opinion  is  towards 
just  those  principles*  So  that  makes  one  optimist*  Then,  politi- 
cally, look  at  all  the  heaving,  restless  struggle  of  opinion  making 
towards  the  ideal  of  a League  of  Nations*  I don't  mean  any  par- 
ticular league  necessarily,  but  a League*  Then  work  downwards 


56  MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

from  Catholic  doctrine,  and  you'll  see  that  it  necessarily  goes  towards 
a brotherhood  of  Nations,  and  very  nearly  created  it  in  the  Middle 
Ages*  When  Christendom  broke  up,  it  did  so  because  nationalism 
grew  so  exaggerated  that  first  you  had  nation  against  nation,  and 
then  groups  of  nations  opposed,  and  then  the  Balance  of  Power, 
which  has  just  collapsed  so  badly*  That  was  a very  cynical  idea;  an 
equilibrium  of  mutually  disliking  groups,  not  a firm  union  of  love. 
Now,  what  the  Church  can  do,  is  to  pick  out  all  the  good  elements 
in  the  new  popular  desire,  if  it  exists,  and  show  how  good  they  are, 
and  then,  how  she  has  always  said  they  were  good,  and  has  offered 
as  good  and  better*" 

“ If  I may  interrupt,"  said  the  Sergeant, 44 1 have  been  endeavour- 
ing to  put  that  to  Miss  Silver  on  more  than  one  occasion*" 

“ Well,  we  both  thank  you*" 

“ I do,  Fm  sure,"  she  said*  44  Mr*  Raikes  has  made  it  so  much 
clearer*" 

“ Well,  if  only  I were  a philosopher  I'd  go  right  to  the  opposite 
extreme  and  tell  you  something  he  won't  have  talked  to  you 
about*  I'll  just  mention  it*  Ever  since  the  German  philosopher, 
Kant " 

The  Sergeant  gave  a loud  chuckle,  begged  my  pardon,  and  pro- 
ceeded violently  with  his  typing*  When  I had  recovered  from  my 
surprise,  I proceeded* 

“ Well,  ever  since  then,  it's  been  the  fashion  to  say  we  only  know 
our  own  ideas — our  own  feelings — don't  know  outside  things  with 
any  certainty  at  all;  and  that  still  less  can  we  attach  any  intrinsic 
value  to  ideas  like  cause  or  effect,  or  even  God*  The  essence 
of  Protestantism  is  in  that,  really  ! It's  individualism  run  wild* 
When  people  gave  up  thinking  in  terms  of  Christendom  they  thought 
in  terms  of  nations,  as  I told  you,  and  finally,  in  terms  just  of  them- 
selves* One  result  of  that  was  Pantheism — everything  was  your - 
self , and  as  far  as  God  meant  anything,  you  were  God,  too*  Or  if 
you  didn't  run  to  that  sort  of  mystical  v/ay  of  looking  at  things,  but 
had  a practical  temperament,  the  cult  of  self  led  to  just  self-realiza- 
tion, as  they  said;  to  the  Superman,  who  cares  for  nothing  but 
himself*  Now,  not  only  that's  dead  against  all  Catholic  doctrine, 
but  I'm  told  there  are  signs  of  a swing-back  among  quite  non- 
Catholic  thinkers,  when  they've  seen  what  nonsense,  or  what  horrible 
results  it  will  lead  to." 

“ As  a matter  of  fact,  Mr*  Raikes  did  tell  me  something  about  that 
very  topic." 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


57 


" Did  you,  Jack  ?" 

In  his  extreme  shyness  he  reverted  almost  to  the  military  manner, 
swivelled  round  in  his  chair,  fixed  his  eyes  about  an  inch  above  my 
head,  dropped  his  hands  to  his  side  (for  he  couldn't  exactly  stand/ 
after  all,  to  attention)  and  recited: 

44  Mr.  Winterton,  Father,  having  had  occasion  to  mention  to  me 
the  series  of  simple  Philosophical  Handbooks  the  Guild  is  bringing 
out,  I took  the  liberty  of  asking  him  what  philosophy  might  really 
be,  me  having  heard  the  word  but  never  understanding  it  properly. 
And  Mr.  Winterton,  he  very  kindly  took  me  over  part  of  the  ground 
himself,  and  partly  to  make  sure  I'd  properly  understood  his  ex- 
planations, and  if  I'm  to  tell  the  truth  I make  no  doubt  through  me 
having  something  of  a swollen  head  as  regards  the  whole  matter,  I 
put  the  main  points  in  due  order  to  Miss  Silver  on  her  next  visit." 

He  ceased  abruptly. 

“ Very  good,"  I said, 44  you  are  dismissed." 

He  stared,  grinned  suddenly,  and  plunged  back  to  his 
work. 

44  Now,"  I said,  44  since  I can  trust  to  the  Sergeant  for  your 
philosophic  illumination,  and  since  I know  you  like  psychology, 
and  since  I like  history,  I shall  make  a remark  or  two  about  what's 
going  on  in  those  departments,  unless,  of  course,  I shall  make  you 
late  for  your  train." 

She  smiled  wanly,  and  told  me  there  were  several. 

44  Well,  you  told  me  Miss  Newton  had  been  discussing  this  new 
psychology  which  everyone's  talking  about.  She  said  that  every- 
thing you  thought  or  ever  did  could  be  reduced  to  the  automatic 
working  out  of  a few  primary  instincts  about  which  you  knew  nothing 
except  that  they  existed,  and  which  either  had  free  exit,  in  which 
case  you  were  normal,  or  were  repressed  and  forced  their  way  out 
distorted,  in  which  case  you  were  an  eccentric.  That,  she  said, 
explains  Man.  All  the  things  you  think  are  so  noble  and  beautiful 
are  really  illusions,  sort  of  shadow-spectres,  thrown  on  the  clouds 
outside  you  by  these  instincts  in  you.  Well,  even  if  all  the  facts  she 
relates  are  observed  facts,  and  rightly  observed,  they  don't  explain 
men  any  more  than  you've  explained  a working  electrical  machine 
when  you've  catalogued  the  rods  and  wheels.  There's  the  electric 
spark  which  must  be  there,  and  which  is  different  from  rods  and 
wheels.  It  explains  why  they  move,  but  they  don't  explain  it, 
though  it's  got  to  be  there  if  they  are  to  move.  Very  well.  As  this 
new  science  advances,  people  begin  to  see  the  same  sort  of  thing. 


58  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

It  explains  some  of  the  machinery  of  mind,  but  it  doesn't  explain 
mind.  It  exacts  the  existence  of  something  special  which  they  call 
4 psychic  energy/  Something  quite  different  from  even  that 
mysterious  fact  they  call  4 physical  energy/  Now  Catholic  phil- 
osophy, by  another  road,  proves  that  something  which  it  calls 
4 spirit 9 exists,  and  Catholic  psychology  shows  that  one  element  in 
us  is  spiritual.  And  when  we  talk  of  spirit  as  united  with  matter 
in  such  a way  as  to  make  one  complete  substance,  in  the  way  that 
a human  person  is  one,  we  call  it 4 soul ';  and  when  we  speak  of  it 
more  precisely  as  working  in  with  that  matter — i.e.,  the  body  and 
the  brain  in  particular — we  can  call  it 4 mind/  But  it's  all  the  same 
thing.  So  the  special  psychic  energy  which  the  new  psychologist 
reaches  is  the  special  work  of  that  special  stuff  which  we've  always 
believed  to  exist  and  have  called  4 spirit ' or  4 soul ' or  4 mind.' 
And  two  more  points.  If  it's  a thoroughly  different  sort  of  thing 
to  the  brain  and  the  body,  it  didn't  evolve  out  of  that,  and  the  old 
crude  theory  of  evolution  of  everything  out  of  one  thing  gets  another 
knock.  You  can  put  things  in  a regular  series  of  more  and  more 
perfect,  if  you  like;  but  it's  not  one  thing  continually  becoming  more 
perfect.  And  finally,  I think  I told  you  that  the  same  students  are 
beginning  to  recognize  what  they  call  the  dynamic  value  of  ideas — 
that  is,  that  ideas  do  a work  that  instinct  can't,  and  that  it's  their 
business  to  govern  and  put  order  in  all  that  shapeless  instinct. 
But  they  also  are  recognizing  that  that's  just  what  they  can't  do, 
unless  they're  believed  to  be  true.  And  it's  impossible  to  believe 
they  are  if  you  suspect  they  aren't;  for  instance,  I shan't  get  any 
better  if  I think  the  doctor  isn't  telling  me  the  truth  when  he  tells 
me  I am  better.  So  the  Pragmatist  philosophy  which  was  so 
fashionable,  and  said  that  you  couldn't  ever  tell  if  a thing  was 
true,  but  only  whether  it  worked,  and  then  it  was  true  for  youf 
well,  that  gets  a nasty  knock,  too.  For  unless  you  can  believe 
a thing's  true  in  itself,  it  won't  work,  and  Pragmatism  fails 
pragmatically." 

44  I don't  follow  the  last  part,"  she  said,  meekly.  44  But  I'd  love 
to  learn  some  more  about  evolution." 

44  Some  day,"  I said,  44  and  Mr.  Raikes,  I'm  sure,  can  do  that 
part,  too.  But  let's  get  to  something  much  more  concrete.  Take 
history.  I'll  be  short,  but  I do  want  to  touch  on  most  of  the  main 
topics  you  might  like  to  think  about." 

44  I always  feel  I don't  really  know  history,"  she  cried.  44  I 
mean,  I read  and  I read,  but  I can't  get  a general  impression 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  59 

that  I can  feel  is  true.  Can  one  trust  English  History 
books  ?” 

44  Sergeant,”  I said,  44  what  do  you  mean  by  not  giving  Miss 
Silver  some  general  impressions  she  can  trust  ?” 

44  I made  bold,”  he  said,  rather  haughtily, 44  to  indicate  to  her  such 
articles  in  the  Catholic  Encyclopedia  as  you  advised  me  to  read 
myself,  and  I trust  I wasn't  wrong.  I also  referred  her  to 
your  reverence  for  further  general  impressions,”  said  he,  quite 
wickedly. 

44  It  is  true,  Jack,”  said  I,  with  propitiatory  meekness,  44  that  for 
detail  work  I can't  compete  with  you.  Still,  it  is  useful  to  provide 
general  ideas — sort  of  frameworks,  or  organic  notions,  and  even 
picturesque  views,  isn't  it,  so  as  to  be  able  to  make  something  solid , 
and  also  living  out  of  the  details  ?” 

He  grunted,  and  was  evidently  most  pleased  at  having  established 
his  position. 

“ Well,”  I said  to  Miss  Silver,  44  I want  to  point  out  that  I con- 
sider there've  been  two  great  swing-backs,  so  to  say,  in  modern 
historical  work.  One  concerns  the  Middle  Ages.  They  used  to 
be  treated  as  a sort  of  blank  period  or  barbaric,  or  at  least  no  better 
than  romantic  and  productive  of  Cathedrals.  But  now  people  are 
beginning  to  realize  what  a wonderful  society  there  was  then,  and 
how  active;  and  how  much  thought.  The  Renaissance  is  getting 
dislodged;  its  real  contribution  was  much  more  imitative  than 
creative,  and  anarchic  than  constructive.  Luther  and  Calvin  are 
quite  pushed  off  their  pedestals,  for  different  reasons,  I confess; 
and  as  for  Henry  VIII.  and  Elizabeth,  and  poor  little  Edward  VI., 
even,  as  far  as  the  Reformation  goes — well,  no  one  now  ought  to 
think  much  of  them.  They  were  engaged  in  cutting  England  off 
from  the  immemorial  civilization  of  Europe,  and  they  succeeded  all 
too  well.  The  substitution  of  their  authority  for  the  old  authority 
of  Christendom  was  a mere  first  step — because  it  was  so  ridiculous 
— to  the  throwing  off  of  all  authority  altogether,  which  is  what  we're 
tending  to,  ever  since  we  realized  that  the  modern  State  tends  to  be 
the  Almighty  Tyrant  which  replaces  royal  absolutism.  Now,  lots 
of  holes  can  be  picked  in  that,  but  it's  a general  impression,  I assure 
you,  you  can  trust.  Miss  Silver  I And  Mr.  Raikes  shall  fill  in 
details.” 

The  Sergeant's  mind  had  meanwhile  taken  its  rather  stately  way 
towards  repentance. 

u Fve  already  tried  to  do  so.  Father,”  he  said,  44  by  taking  Miss 


6o 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

Silver  round  the  Cathedral  like  you  did  me.  In  the  absence  of 
yourself,  we  used  the  local  guide,  but  I was  able  to  repeat  much 
that  you  had  said  in  the  days  when  you  took  me  there  in  a chair. 
And  this  time/'  he  added  superbly, 44  there  was  n't  no  nonsense — any 
nonsense — with  the  verger.  Right  round  we  went.  And  I en- 
deavoured to  draw  lessons." 

44  And  I was  most  grateful,"  she  cried.  44  I saw  it  all  with  different 
eyes  ! I got  so  enthusiastic  that  I crawled  right  into  St.  William's 
tomb.  . . 

The  Sergeant  suddenly  covered  his  mouth  with  his  hand  to  hide 
a grin  at  I know  not  what  memory.  Then  he  turned  scarlet,  and 
typed  furiously. 

44  The  other  great  swing-back,"  I said,  44  is  this.  Non-Catholics 
used  to  make  out  that  Roman  Catholicism  really  began  in  the  Middle 
Ages.  When  they  began  to  know  more  about  the  Middle  Ages  they 
pushed  its  beginning  back — oh,  say,  to  St.  Augustine,  about  four 
hundred.  And  since  then,  right  to  the  very  first  generation  after 
the  Apostles.  All  the  structural  elements  of  Catholicism  are  seen 
alive  and  working  then.  And  even  more  generally  than  that,  the  fact 
that  the  Church  was  a corporation,  an  organic  concrete  social  fact, 
and  that  Christianity  never  was  a sort  of  pious  mood  merely — a 
religious  vapour  taking  shapes  and  colours  from  whatever  blew  upon 
it  and  shone  upon  it,  finally  being  condensed  and  bottled  up,  so  to 
say,  into  a bottle  supplied  by  a series  of  flukes,  so  that  it  turned  into 
the  Church  as  we  know  it — well,  that's  more  and  more  recognized. 
From  the  outset  the  Christian  religion  was  a Catholic  Church; 
hierarchical,  sacramental.  This  is  so  true  that  scholars  began  to  say 
the  early  Church  borrowed  her  sacraments  and  formulas  and  so  on 
from  pagan  systems  round  about  her;  but  they  oughtn't  to  say  that 
any  more;  that  theory,  too,  is  out  of  date.  And  even  the  Gospels, 
well,  the  Church  has  always  believed  they  were  written  by  the  people 
they  profess  to  have  been  written  by,  and  at  certain  traditional  dates, 
say,  for  the  first  three,  from  6o  to  70  a.d.  Fifty  years  ago,  however, 
the  modern  civilization  of  that  time  would  have  called  Catholics 
perfect  fools  for  maintaining  that,  and  no  doubt  did,  and  lots  of 
people  still  do.  But  they  don't  realize  that  criticism  has  swung  very 
far  back  indeed,  and  that  very  un-Catholic  minded  students  now  say 
about  the  Gospels  pretty  well  what  we  do,  and  always  did.  So  even 
in  your  study  of  history.  Miss  Silver,  I believe  it  will  pay  you  to  see 
what  the  Church  believes  on  certain  topics,  and  use  that  as  a sign- 
post. I believe  you'll  find  it  points  to  what  every  kind  of  science  is 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


61 


more  and  more  realising  to  be  true  each  in  its  own  independent  way  * 
In  fact,  if  Catholics  are  4 out  of  date  ' it's  because  they're  a little 
ahead  of  their  times  !" 

The  Sergeant  was  pursuing  some  dream  of  his  own,  and  said 
nothing,  though  I gave  him  the  chance* 

44  One  thing  more,  Miss  Silver*  Work  back  like  that,  and  you 
discover  at  a certain  date,  say  100  a*d*,  an  extraordinary  going 
concern,  the  Catholic  Church*  A whole  Christian  folk,  very  soon 
spreading  from  Spain  to  Persia,  and  from  Tyneside  to  the  Sahara, 
all  thinking  the  same,  all  feeling  the  same,  all  ready  to  die  in  thou- 
sands in  incredible  torments — slaves,  soldiers,  children,  aged  bishops, 
great  ladies  and  repentant  sinners — for  their  faith*  A hundred 
years  before  that  you  find  nothing  that  can  account  for  that*  Lots, 
no  doubt,  that  is  far  more  intelligible  once  the  Church  exists,  and 
throws  light  backward,  but  nothing  which  is  any  sort  of  sufficient 
cause  for  that  phenomenon  of  the  Church*  So  its  cause  was  in 
between*  And  it  can  only  be  what  the  Church  with  one  voice 
said  it  was,  and  says,  namely,  Jesus  Christ*  It  was  for  Him 
they  died;  for  a Person;  for  better  than  father  or  mother  or 
lover*" 

The  Sergeant  stirred* 

44  Them  days  was  good,"  he  said,  quietly,  44  in  the  hospital. 
And  the  first  best  day  was  the  one  when  you  told  about  the  Prodigal 
Son,  by  the  fire*  Never  got  over  that,  the  Corporal  didn't*  Reckon 
Ifve  come  home*  Reckon  he's  got  to*  And  I've  that  bit  of  news  to 
tell  you  afterwards,  Father,"  he  said,  more  briskly*  44  But  you 
finish  v/hat  you're  going  to  say,  first*" 

44  Only  this.  Jack — if  I may  say  so,  Miss  Silver,  study  Jesus  Christ 
and  His  revelation*  You'll  see  then  what  it  all  flows  from  and  goes 
back  to*  Let  me  look  for  a small  book  that  may  help  you — you  can 
take  it " 

I went  off  into  the  shadows,  for  Miss  Silver  stood  nervous,  twist- 
ing the  cords  of  her  little  bag*  There  is  always  a certain  shock 
when  a soul  encounters  Christ* 

I came  back  in  a moment* 

“ Why  shouldn't  we,"  said  I,  44  go  and  get  some  tea  ?" 

"To  the  Too  Too  Tea-rooms,"  she  cried,  clapping  her 
hands* 

44  So  you  know  them  ?" 

44  I ” said  she  and  the  Sergeant  simultaneously,  and  then 

stopped* 


62 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


44  What  were  you  both  going  to  say  ?"  I asked. 

44  Of  course  I saw  them  when  I was  staying  here  in  the  summer/' 
said  Miss  Silver,  elusively. 

The  Sergeant  looked  reproachfully  at  her. 

44  Why,  that  was  where  I took  you.  Miss  Silver/'  he  said, 44  when 
we'd  finished  the  Cathedral.  Telling  you  it  was  the  Reverend 
Father's  favourite  place." 

This  astonishing  information — both  parts  of  it — left  me  speechless; 
so  without  more  discussion,  we  proceeded  with  much  dignity  (for 
I might  have  said  the  bull-dog  had  come  with  me)  to  the  Too  Too 
Tea-rooms.  The  rooms  were  unchanged;  the  same  three  instru- 
ments exhaled  their  hesitating  souls  in  much  the  same  music;  only 
the  people  there  were  different — not  so  happy,  surely,  as  when  the 
timid  Tommies  were  being  supplied  with  tiny  teas.  ...  I missed 
the  blue  flannel  and  red  ties,  and  the  big  rough  overcoats,  and  oh ! 
how  I missed  the  Corporal ! Even  from  the  Sergeant,  something 
had  evaporated  and  was  lost,  though  he'd  gained  so  much,  I knew. 
We  sat  down  at  our  old  table.  I had  some  snap-shots  with  me,  by 
good  luck,  and  showed  Miss  Silver  the  Sergeant  as  he  was  then,  and 
Hallinan,  and  little  Jock,  and  Francis  Newnes,  then  Corporal,  now 
Mister.  She  was  enchanted  with  him,  and  grew  so  enthusiastic 
over  his  forelock  that  the  Sergeant,  moved  by  some  primary  emotion, 
suddenly  announced,  with  vast  severity: 

44  Silly,  I called  it.  But  erratic  he  was,  and  ever  will  be." 

44  Now  tell  me  your  news,"  said  I. 

He  looked  deprecatingly  at  Miss  Silver. 

“ You'll  forgive  me,  Miss  Silver,"  said  he,  44  if  I tell  the  Father 
what  perhaps  you  won't  quite  sympathize  with.  My  old  mother," 
said  he,  turning  back  to  me, 44  is  to  become  a Catholic."  His  state- 
liness fell  off  him  like  a cloak;  he  turned  red,  grinned  all  across  his 
broad  and  honest  face,  and  punched  me  very  hard  on  the  chest,  quite 
as  he'd  done  on  that  distant  Whitsun-eve.  . ♦ . 

“ My  dear  Jack  ! I am  delighted  ! Be  delighted,  Miss  Silver  ! 
I assure  you  it's  worth  it." 

And  I told  her  quickly  about  that  heroic  old  lady,  managing  her 
household  so  vigorously  despite  her  terrible  crippled  state  (she  had 
no  arms);  giving  her  three  sons  to  the  war;  going  of  her  own  free- 
will, lest  she  should  be  an  encumbrance,  to  the  Refuge,  where  she 
still  was,  being  too  weak  now  to  be  moved;  writing  her  letters  with 
that  pencil  strapped  so  that  she  could  hold  it  in  her  teeth,  and 
collecting  pence  for  her  boy  in  hospital  by  singing  her  little  songs. 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


63 


Miss  Silver  mopped  her  eyes  quite  unaffectedly* 

44  An'  you  remember  that  old  badge/'  he  cried,  44  that  was  given 
me  by  the  mamselle  " (he  glanced  maliciously  at  Miss  Silver,  but 
she  only  smiled),  44  and  how  I worked  it  on  to  that  square  of  old- 
gold  silk,  an'  how  you  made  me  crosses  an'  alphas  and  omegas  an' 
a wreath  of  flowers  an'  such  to  decorate  it  ? Well,  I sends  it  to  her, 
an'  she's  that  proud  of  it  she  has  it  put  up  beside  her  and  won't  have 
it  down ; and  they  all  asks  her  about  it,  and  she  don't  know  how  to 
go  to  explain  it,  and  on  my  first  leave  I tell  her  all  about  it,  and  that 
Mrs*  Wroxton,  she  tells  her  more,  and  the  priest,  he  notices  it  and 
tells  her  more , an'  someone  starts  chippin'  her  about  receiving 
valentines  from  her  pal,  much  as  I used  to  think  those  badges  were; 
and  she  ups  and  she'll  have  none  of  it,  but  she  explains  what  she's 
learnt  it  means,  and  in  her  heart  she's  thinking  what  it  means  to  met 
me  being  her  favourite,  though  why,  I don't  know,  my  brothers 
bein'  worth  a dozen  of  a chap  like  me*  P'raps  that's  why,"  he  said, 
meditatively,  and  quite  forgetting  Miss  Silver,  and  I daresay  me, 
44  Never  any  too  satisfactory,  I wasn't*  Both  headstrong  and  stupid ♦ 
Never  took  advice  and  never  acted  really  sensible  on  my  own  account* 
Worried  her  terribly,  I did,  but  always  came  back  when  in  trouble, 
or  rather,  not  till  I'd  got  out  of  it,  for  I was  powerful  obstinate*  But, 
however,"  said  he,  pulling  himself  together,  44  she  gets  the  idea 
that  the  Heart  of  God  has  been  with  me  and  carin'  for  me, 
and — well,  Father,  it's  topsy-turvy,  I know,  but  I can't  help  it, 
for  it's  like  that,  I'm  sure,  and  there's  many  a mother  I'm  sure, 
too,  it  would  be  like  that  for — once  she  gets  it  into  her  head  that 
the  Heart  of  God  loves  me,  she  loves  it  back  more  than  ever  she 
could  if  it  had  just  loved  her,  she  loves  it  all  over  again  when  she 
understands  I love  it,  which  I do,"  he  said,  looking  at  me  with 
great  dog-like  eyes,  almost  as  Hallinan  used  to  do,  44  an'  I tell 
her  all  about  the  Jock  saying  Communion  was  the  one  thing, 
and  she  begins  to  want  it  too,  wanting  to  be  in  God's  Heart, 
and  may  I be  forgiven  if  I say  what  I shouldn't,  wanting  to  get 
God  into  herself  in  a manner  of  speakin'  and  hug  Him  in  a 
manner  of  speakin' — an'  oh  lor,  I'm  afraid  I'm  talking  a deal  of 
nonsense*" 

44  So  your  dear  mother's  decided  on  being  a Catholic,  Jack,"  I 
said,  after  waiting  a little* 

44  She  has  that,  Father*  And  Mrs*  Wroxton,  she  wrote  to  me 
to-day  to  say  it  could  be  quickly  done,  for  like  a child  she  is;  takes 
to  it  like  a fish  in  water,  if  you  take  me*" 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


64 

“ This  is  the  crown  to  your  happiness,  Jack,”  I said*  44  We'll  all 
thank  God  together*” 

Miss  Silver  then  said  rather  chokily  that  she  must  go  and  catch 
her  train,  and  I answered  that  if  she  didn't  mind.  I'd  ask  Mr*  Raikes 
to  escort  her  to  the  station  as  I had  an  enormous  number  of  letters 
to  write,  which  was  not  only,  I considered,  truthful,  but  certainly 
tactful,  too* 


Chapter  Vlil 

QUITE  late  in  December  I was  walking  along  the  tow-path  by 
our  river  Hale  when  Reggie  Orwylstree  caught  me  up*  It 
isn't  much  of  a river,  but  it  has  its  charms,  especially  when 
it  broadens  out,  and  on  an  afternoon  like  this*  There  was  a mist,  of 
course,  but  the  sun  was  bright  behind  it;  it  was  surprising  how  many 
leaves  remained,  shining  a strong  gold,  on  the  trees  nearer  the 
town;  old  buildings  stood  among  them,  they,  too,  brown-golden 
or  almost  copper  colour,  and  the  shadows  were  every  blue,  from 
sapphire  blue  to  peacock*  And  over  it  all,  softening,  fusing  it, 
the  mist  drew  silver  veils* 

We  said  " Hullo  " to  one  another;  Reggie  said  he'd  come  my  way 
for  a bit,  and  then  we  relapsed  into  the  silence  of  friendship* 

At  last  he  said: 

" This  fellow  Blake  is  getting  a bit  of  a strain*" 

44  Oh!  How?" 

" Positively  haunts  me*" 

" Since  you're  billeted  at  Bursdon  ?" 

44  That's  right*  Constantly  over  on  his  motor-bike  and  wants 
to  take  me  out  in  his  side-car*" 

"Rather  flattering,  isn't  it?  Or  perhaps  he's  got  no  friends 
near  Hanton*" 

44  Dozens*  Popular  sort  of  chap,  apparently*" 

44  Well,  don't  you  like  him  ?" 

44  Oh,  I like  him  all  right*" 

44  Well,  what's  the  matter  ? So  do  I*  So  do  we  all,  as  far  as  I 
know*" 

He  heaved  a portentous  sigh*  44  It's  all  most  deucealy  com- 
plicated* Everything  was  comfortable  till  he  came*" 

I didn't  think  it  complicated  at  all,  but  I merely  told  him  to 
behave  decently,  anyway* 

44  Oh,  I'll  behave  decently,"  he  said*  Then  he  added: 44  It  must 
be  rotten  for  padres  always  having  to  feel  alike  to  everyone*" 

65  5 


66 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


44  I don't.” 

44  Well,  to  behave  as  if  you  did;  that's  worse/' 

44  Well,  in  another  sense  I do*  There's  always  one  or  two 
large  things  that  are  true  about  everybody,  and  they're  apt  to 
swamp  the  minor  differences,  or,  at  any  rate,  keep  'em  quite 
secondary*" 

44  What  d'you  mean  ?" 

44  You  know  perfectly  well*" 

44  You  make  me  tired  when  you're  pious,"  he  said,  but 
smiling*  44  Of  course,  I needn't  say  old  Blake  is  always  catechizing 
me  about  the  Catholic  religion*  Well,  I don't  know  anything 
about  it*" 

44  Don't  be  silly*  You  know  quite  enough*  After  all,  you're  a 
convert  yourself*" 

44  Oh,  ages  ago,  just  after  I left  the  'Varsity*" 

44  Well,  you've  learnt  a lot  since*  I hope  you  aren't  tongue-tied 
when  Blake  asks  you  things*  It's  much  better  you  should  explain 
than  I*" 

44  But  I tell  you  he's  a bit  of  a strain*  He  asks  me  no  end  of 
questions  out  of  a little  book*"  He  glared  at  me  indignantly* 

44  Well,"  I said*  44  Don't  blame  me*  I don't  particularly  want 
him  to  have  a little  book*  I didn't  give  him  any*  I don't  even 
know  what  he's  got*  If  anything,  I want  to  keep  him  off  little  books* 
I want  to  keep  him  to  principles*" 

44  If  you  ask  me,  he's  getting  a bit  fed  up  with  principles*  He 
says  he  hasn't  got  any,  or  if  he  has  he  doesn't  know  what  they  are* 
In  fact,  I think  he  thinks  it  a bit  indecent  to  talk  about  that  sort  of 
thing*  He  said  he  thought  decent  average  men  got  along  all  right 
without  'em,  or  without  discussing  'em,  anyway;  like  healthy  people 
and  their  livers*" 

44  I know;  he  said  just  the  same  sort  of  thing  to  me*  And  I agreed* 
We  don't  talk  about  'em*  Barbara  doesn't  explain  her  principles 
to  you,  that  I know  of*  Nor  I mine  to  her*  Because  we're  healthy 
living  Catholics,  and,  as  you  say,  we  take  'em  for  granted*  But  we 
have  them,  and  we  ought  to  know  them,  and  then  keep  healthy  and 
just  live.  But  he's  like  a man — oh  well,  he  can't  do  any  of  the 
Catholic  things  because  he  knows  nothing  of  the  Catholic  life, 
nor  that  he's  half  dead,  from  that  point  of  view*  It's  no  good 
plaguing  him  with  no  end  of  details  when  he  hasn't  got  the  main 
ideas*  You  can't  start  building  your  house  from  the  chimney 
downwards*" 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  67 

44  But  I thought  you  told  me  I ought  to  answer  him  when  he  asks  ?" 
44  Oh,  Lord,  yes*  Tell  him  what  we  do,  so  that  you  can  clear  the 
ground  of  mistakes*  He  probably  thinks  we  believe  images  are 
alive,  or  that  the  Pope's  God,  or  something*  But  if  you  can,  show 
him  the  idea  of  the  thing — Purgatory,  for  instance — in  an  accurate 
way;  but  always  point  out  it  joins  on  to  something  much  deeper* 
Drive  him  back  to  the  bottom-most*  God;  his  immortal  soul;  sin; 
revelation;  Jesus  Christ*" 

He  looked  very  worried* 

44  I'd  feel  such  a damned  hypocrite,"  he  said* 

44  Not  at  all*  You're  not  a hypocrite*  You've  got  a very  good 
record,  all  things  considered*  You  aren't  even  rickety  nowadays* 
You  go  ahead  and  tell  him*" 

44  I'm  not  exactly  a pyramid,  you  know*  Things  still  upset  me, 
on  and  off*" 

I have  a great  respect  as  well  as  affection  for  Reggie,  so  I told  him 
he  was  all  right,  and  then  said: 

44  You'll  do  him  a good  service  if  you  do  no  more  than  make  him 
understand  religion  isn't  effervescent  piety,  or  odds  and  ends  of 
behaviour,  but  a very  practical  logical  working  out  of — well,  princi- 
ples* Sorry,  but  I can't  help  it*" 

44  It's  all  very  well*  You  know  I'm  not  emotional*  But  he's  got 
to  feel  something  or  other*  Else  it'll  just  stay  an  affair  of  theory  for 
him,  even  if  he  sees  it*" 

44  Well,  on  the  whole.  I'd  trust  God  for  that  part*  However,  if 
you  4 feel,'  don't  sheepishly  pretend  you  don't*  Of  course,  you'll 
never  pretend  you  do  when  you  don't*  As  a matter  of  fact,  I was 
trying  to  engineer  a sort  of  transition  to  this  sort  of  thing  after  he 
and  I left  the  Travers's  after  Barbara's  birthday  party*" 

44  What  d'you  mean  by  transition  ?" 

44  I was  trying  to  get  him  across  from  too  much  abstract  prin- 
ciple to — to  Our  Lord*" 

44  Oh,  I see*" 

44  Cecil  Calthrop  mentioned  the  Sacred  Heart*  Well,  there  you 
are*  • The  Incarnation*  All  our  principles  are  true;  but  we're 
meant  to  see  them  incarnate*  We're  meant  to*  To  learn  about  God 
in  Jesus  Christ,  or  through  Him*  Religion  isn't  a theory,  nor  yet 
just  an  institution*  It's  a Person*" 

I was  touched  to  see  a sort  of  sadness  come  into  his  expression* 
44  Henceforward,"  I continued,  44  it's  all  personal*  Our  Lord  is  a 
person,  and  He  wants  us  to  think  of  God  as  Father*" 


68 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  It's  odd*  One's  accustomed  to  think  of  Christ  as — oh 
well  in  Holy  Communion  and  being  crucified,  and  so  on*  But, 
somehow,  one  never  thinks  of  Him  as  having  told  us  very 
much  about  God*  Does  one  think  about  * God ' much  ? I 
don't  know*  I dare  say  I do*  But  I don't  think  about  thinking 
about  God*" 

44  Well,  He  did  tell  us,  you  know — in  fact,  it's  the  centre — a sort 
of  fountain — of  His  revelation*  It  was  new*  Even  for  the  Jews, 
in  the  mass*  God — not  just  creator  and  master,  nor  King  nor 
Father  even  of  a people — but  Father  of  each  soul — all  that's  lovable 
in  human  fatherhood  first  of  all,  and  far  better,  in  Him;  and  all  the 
consequences  with  regard  to  one's  fellow-men,  who  are  all  His  sons, 
and  our  brothers*  That's  one  of  the  large  things  that  tends  to  push 
down  personal  likes  and  dislikes  to  quite  a low  place*  It  brings  in 
love,  you  know*" 

44  Oh,  Lord  !"  he  cried*  44  It's  a queer  thing,  all  this  love  busi- 
ness* * * *" 

He  stopped,  and  leant  over  the  railing  of  a little  bridge* 

Yellow  leaves  floated  by,  and  the  warm  December  was  silent  all 
around  us*  I waited  a little  to  let  the  image  of  Barbara  flicker  out  of 
his  half-awareness*  Then  he  said: 

“ But  do  I love  God  ? Do  I ? Do  I — like  Him  as  much  as — 
well,  as  anyone  I do  like  ?" 

44  The  deeper  love  is,  the  more  silent  and  less  tumultuous  it 
becomes,  I suppose*  You  notice  the  sea  more  when  it's  stormy* 
But  storms  aren't  the  sea*  True  love  goes  straight  into  service* 
Service  of  the  person  you  love  and  of  persons  he  or  she  loves*  You 
don't  have  to  talk  a lot*  You  hardly  have  to  feel  you  feel*  * * * 
You  just  do*  * . *" 

“ All  the  same,"  he  said  astonishingly,  “ there's  moments  when 
I could  hug  God*" 

So  he  and  the  Sergeant  met  there*  * * * 

Bells  began  to  chime  in  Wilchurch*  Fountains  of  praise  rose 
from  the  old  towers,  and  all  creation  stirred  together  and  aroused 
itself  to  hymn  the  revelation  of  the  sons  of  God*  The  willow 
trees  and  the  river  swam  before  my  eyes  for  a moment  and  then 
vanished*  Then  Reggie's  voice  recalled  me,  saying  he  had  to  be 
getting  back* 

44  Come  to  tea  with  Barbara,"  said  I*  “ I'm  going*" 

44  Can't,"  he  answered,  walking  very  fast* 

“ Where  are  you  going  ?" 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


69 


“ Tea  with  Blake*  At  the  Club/' 

“ The  Club  teas/'  said  I,  “ are  getting  worse  and  worse*"  And 
we  grumbled  peaceably  together  till  we  parted  at  Curfew  Corner* 
****** 

I,  however,  went  on  to  tea,  as  I'd  said,  to  the  Travers's*  Barbara 
was  writing  in  the  drawing-room,  and  Mr*  Travers  was  dosing  by  the 
fire,  and  just  nodded  and  smiled  to  me*  The  drawing-room  was 
unlit  save  by  this  fire,  and  two  candles  at  the  far  end,  on  Barbara's 
writing-table*  They  shone  in  her  hair* 

“ Oh  !"  she  cried,  when  I came  in*  44  Thank  goodness  you've 
come*"  And  she  flung  down  her  pen* 

44  Thank  you,"  I said*  44  What  were  you  doing  ?" 

“ C*W*L*,"  she  answered,  crossing  to  the  fire*  She  sat  down  by 
it,  on  a stool*  Then  she  suddenly  said: 

44  Reggie  Orwylstree  is  a very  exorbitant  young  man*" 

I swallowed  a smile,  but  said  nothing* 

44  Don't  you  want  to  know  why  ?"  she  asked* 

“ Very  much*" 

44  I had  to  do  all  these  letters,  and  he  wanted  me  to  go  for  a walk 
with  him*" 

44  Oh,  I met  him*  We  went  on  a bit  together*  I thought  he 
seemed  rather  sulky*" 

“ What  did  he  talk  about  ?" 

44  How  bad  the  teas  are  getting  at  the  Club*  So  did  I*" 

" Oh  Father  l What  else  ?" 

44  On  the  importance  of  having  High  Principles*" 

44  Didn't  he  say  anything  about  me  ?" 

“ Alas,  alas,  my  poor  Barbara  ! I believe  we  forgot  to  till  the 
very  end*  Then  I asked  him  to  come  to  tea  here  and  he  said  he 
was  going  to  see  Captain  Blake*" 

44  That's  another  very  encroaching  youth,"  she  remarked* 

“ Whom  does  he  encroach  on  ?" 

“ Me,  of  course." 

“ Oh  l" 

44  He's  always  round,  asking  things*" 

“ About  Catholicism  ?" 

44  Oh,  dear  no  1"  she  exclaimed,  sitting  bolt  upright*  44  Why 
should  he  ? He  isn't  thinking  of  becoming  a Catholic,  is  he  ?" 

“ How  should  I know  ?" 

44  Oh,  for  goodness'  sake  don't  be  discreet " 

“ I'm  very  sorry*" 


70  MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  Now  you're  being  meek  ! That's  worse  ! I can't  possibly 
bear  it,  ♦ ♦ . Do  you  think  we  need  have  the  lamps  ? I suppose 
tea  by  fire-light  is  all  right  ? Daddy  likes  it," 

44  Unless  it  tastes  different,  like  tobacco,"  I said,  44  I want  your 
tea  to  taste  exactly  as  it  always  does," 

44  Discreet,  meek,  and  then  affable  1"  she  cried,  getting  up,  44  I 
won't  have  it.  Help  me  move  the  table,  I must  have  my  tea  after 
all  those  letters," 

“ Have  the  C,W,L,-ites  been  annoying  ?" 

4*  Not  as  C.W,L,-ites,  But  these  combined  meetings  are  per- 
fectly Satanic." 

“ Are  you  having  a combined  meeting  ?" 

44  If  only,"  she  said, 44  you  condescended  to  mix  in  decent  Society, 
you'd  know  we're  having  a general  women's  meeting — all  sorts — in 
January;  and,  by  the  way,  you're  down  to  speak.  You're  a side- 
show." 

44  First  I've  heard  of  it." 

44  Yes,  you  haven't  been  told  yet.  I've  only  just  put  you  down," 

44  Thanks  immensely,"  said  L 44  I'm  not  being  meek,"  I hast- 
ened to  add. 

44  You  certainly  aren't,"  she  said,  44  In  fact.  I'm  afraid  you're 
going  to  be  fidgety.  . . ♦ But,  besides  you,  there'll  be  Miss  Acacia 
Tremayne  to  represent  the  Stage  Guild " 

44  How  did  you  get  Miss  Acacia  Tremayne  ?" 

44  I was  waiting  in  the  vestibule  of  the  Piccadilly  Palace  Hotel." 

44  Dear  me,"  I gasped,  44  was  you  ?" 

44  Sometimes,"  she  said,  reproachfully,  44  you  are  a very  silly 
padre.  I'd  gone  there  to  take  out  poor  old  great-uncle  Dick,  who 
was  staying  there,  and  he'd  forgotten  his  umbrella  and  had  to  go  up 
again  to  fetch  it." 

Great-uncle  Dick  was  a Rural  Dean.  I don't  quite  know  what 
Rural  Deans  are,  but  anyhow,  he  was  it;  and  true  to  the  custom  of 
the  lesser  dignitaries  of  the  Anglican  Establishment,  had  evidently 
taken  rooms  at  the  Piccadilly  Palace  as  being  central  and  inexpensive 
and  (I  suppose)  innocuously  worldly.  On  my  rare  visits  there  I 
had  always  admired  the  mixture  of  gaitered  ecclesiastics,  pink  young 
men,  and,  well,  their  cousins,  I suppose, 

44  But  that  still  doesn't  explain  how  you  met  Miss  Acacia  Tre- 
mayne," I urged. 

44  She  had  a little  dog,"  said  Barbara,  44  on  a chain.  And  while 
she  was  putting  a little  powder  on  her  nose  the  little  dog  ran  out  to 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  71 

the  full  length  of  the  chain  to  bark  at  a lift  girl  who  was  talking  in 
that  extraordinary  voice  they  do,  and  great-uncle  Dick  came  down 
and  tripped  over  the  chain  and  pulled  poor  Miss  Tremayne  over  too, 
of  course,  and  she  scratched  her  nose  on  somebody's  spurs — 
everyone  ran  to  pick  her  up — and  great-uncle  Dick  trod  on  her  puff- 
box*  She  was  too  sweet  about  it,  because  it  was  a very  pretty  one* 
So  I had  to  lend  her  some  of  mine  for  her  poor  nose,  and " 

“ Barbara  ! Do  you  powder  your  nose  ?" 

She  just  smiled  at  me,  in  a pitying  but  quite  affectionate  sort 
of  way* 

44  Well,  you  see,  everything  flew  out  of  her  little  bag,  and  there  was 
a rosary,  so  I saw  she  was  a Catholic*  So  while  she  was  putting  her 
hat  straight,  I collected  her  for  the  Stage  Guild,  and  she  said  she'd 
be  here  in  January,  playing  in  Miss  Chutney  of  Putney,  and  so  I've 
put  her  down  to  speak  at  the  combined  meeting*" 

**  Well,  well,  well !" 

44  Don't  you  approve  ?" 

44  Oh,  delighted  ! All  the  lads'll  roll  up  like  anything*  Having  a 
collection  ?" 

44  How  sordid  ! No  ! Well,  we'll  see*  What  could  we  have  it 
for  ? Think  of  something*" 

44  What's  the  meeting  for  ? I should  think  that'd  give  you  an 
idea*" 

44  Well,  to  get  the  Catholic  Societies  to  know  one  another  and 
co-operate*  And  even  to  get  the  Catholics  to  know  one  another*" 

44  I suppose  they  don't  ?" 

44  We've  about  eight  hundred  Catholics  here,  and  each  Catholic 
knows  about  three  other  Catholics*" 

44  Reggie  was  a guest  in  a Mess  once  where  the  doctor  said  he  had 
a story,  but  wouldn't  tell  it  if  there  were  any  Catholics  present* 
Reggie  held  up  his  hand  and  seven  more  out  of  eighteen  held  up 
theirs,  and  till  then  none  of  'em  had  known  the  others  were*  And 
once  in  Italy  someone  wouldn't  believe  I was  a proper  priest  because, 
they  said,  there  were  no  Catholics  in  England*  * * * However, 
that's  off  the  point*  Why  don't  they  know  one  another  ? I bet 
they  know  all  about  one  another*" 

44  Of  course,  I vas  exaggerating*  But  it  is  dreadful  how  cliquey 
people  are*  And  the  worse  the  less  reason  there  is  for  it*" 

“ Ah*  Where  there  are  big  social  differences  you  can't  talk 
about  cliques*  It's  where  there  are  practically  no  differences  that 
people  emphasize  them  to  show  they  do  exist*  Between  Mrs*  A*, 


12  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

who  can  afford  three  sunflowers  and  a parrot  on  her  bonnet, 
and  Mrs.  B.,  who  can  only  afford  two  sunflowers  and  a pine- 
apple." 

“ Pineapple  /"  she  said.  44  All  the  same,  hats  do  make  a difference. 
Anyhow,  nobody  wears  bonnets  now,  except  the  Cathedral  old 
women/' 

44  Once,"  I said,  44  a lady  told  a friend  of  mine  she  didn't  know 
me  to  bow  to,  though  she  moved,  to  me  because  she  thought  she  ought ♦ 
She  wouldn't  know-me-to-bow-to  because  I knew  her  husband's 
friend,  who  was  better  than  he  was  at  the  flageolet.  Also  one  of  the 
two  played  poker.  I forget  which.  I'd  never  heard  about 4 moving- 
to  ' before.  But  I'd  noticed  a kind  of  ripple  when  she  passed  me. 
I thought  she  was  nervous." 

44  It's  perfectly  wonderful,"  said  she,  44  how  approved  of  I am 
when  Aunt  Sophia's  been  here.  Everyone  knows.  Everyone  says 
for  weeks  afterwards, 4 And  how  is  dear  Lady  Sophia  ? ' or  else, 4 How 
wonderful  your  dear  aunt  is,  dear  Miss  Travers  !' " 

44  If,"  said  I,  44  poor  people  feel  awkward  or  silly  about  the  rich, 
well,  it's  easy  to  forgive  them.  But  if  rich  or  4 upper-class  ' people 
behave  wrongly  to  the  poor,  I can't  forgive  them.  They  ought  to 
be  scourged  for  it,  simply.  And  the  middle  ones,  educated ♦ I 
can't  think  of  anything  more  uneducated  than  to  make  class  distinc- 
tions. Only  people  who  are  afraid  of  their  position  collapsing  have 
to  bolster  it  up.  Only  people  who  think  they  won  t be  taken  for 
4 upper  ' have  to  let  other  people  know  they  are  4 upper.'  And  that 
proves  they  aren't ." 

44  That's  why  I like  stage  folk,"  she  said.  44  Tney're  so  good- 
hearted  ! They're  so  tolerant.  Too  tolerant,  I daresay.  People 
say  they  do  all  sorts  of  things  they  shouldn't.  I don't  know,  but 
I expect  other  people  do  other  things  they  shouldn't.  And  they're 
vain  and  jealous,  of  course.  But  at  bottom  they're  kind-hearted. 
They're  human." 

44  And  do  let's  be  divine  1 Another  thing  Reggie  and  I talked 
of,  if  you  want  to  know,  is  the  Fatherhood  of  God.  If  He's  Father 
we're  sons  and  daughters,  and  therefore  brothers  and  sisters. 
We  are  l If  only  people  wouldn't  think  of  these  things  as 
metaphors  ! One  can't  make  4 Our  Father ' mean  about  as  much 
and  as  little  as  4 Dear  Sir  '1  God  isn't  a sort  of  North  Pole  with 
all  the  lines  of  longitude  knotted  on  to  it,  but  the  Father  of  a 
family.  . . . Sorry,  Barbara;  but  I do  feel  so  strongly  about  this  ! 
Even  without  knowing  about  grace,  and  the  Body  of  Christ,  and 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


73 

Christ  in  us — well,  anyway,  God's  in  us,  and  if  we  remember  that, 
how  can  we  remember  anything  else  l” 

Here  at  last  Elspeth  really  did  bring  in  the  lamps,  and  I rose  and 
said  good-bye* 

She  remained  there,  however,  looking  into  the  fire  and  smiling 
to  herself*  Then  she  said,  half  afraid  lest  I should  fancy  her 
irreverent : 

u Well,  I promise  you  I'll  be  a sister  to  both  of  them*  * * * I" 
And  I departed* 


Chapter  IX 

A WEEK  or  two  after  this  Blake  invaded  my  room  and  sat 
down  on  my  bed* 

44  Look  here/'  said  he,  44  I particularly  want  you  to  come 
to  dinner  to-night*  There's  a reason*  There's  a parson  called 
Archer  staying  in  the  house,  and  just  as  I thought  I was  getting 
along  all  right  he's  upset  the  whole  apple-cart*  I don't  believe  he 
believes  in  anything*  Quite  a decent  sort  of  fellow;  but,  by  Jove, 
when  I said  I knew  you,  and  was  half  thinking  of  being  an  R*C*,  he 
fired  up  and  said  it  wasn't  fair  of  you  to  be  profiting  by  me  having 
palled  up  with  you  to  try  to  persuade  me  to  'vert*  He  thinks  I'm 
a perfect  ass,  intellectually,  and  no  doubt  I am,  and  that  you're 
bound  to  be  able  to  argue  me  into  anything*  And  he  says  if  you're 
anything  like  intelligent  yourself  you've  got  your  tongue  in  your 
cheek  all  the  while,  because  you  must  know  modern  thought's 
exploded  all  your  whole  position,  or  something  like  that*  He  thinks 
you  don't  really  believe  it  all,  you  see,  but  that  for  some  reason  or 
another  you're  bound  to  try  to  make  me  swallow  it*" 

44  I don't  think  I like  your  parson,"  said  I* 

44  Oh,  he  doesn't  really  mean  anything  nasty*  He  thinks  you're 
in  a false  position*" 

44  Well,  I needn't  stay  in  it,  need  I ?" 

44  No;  but  you  know  I began  by  thinking  something  like 
that*" 

44  That  was  different,  though  I didn't  like  it*  But  he  ought  to 
know  better*  But  people  constantly  try  to  kid  themselves  that 
everyone  at  heart  thinks  what  they  do;  especially  if  what  the  other 
person  says  he  thinks,  annoys  them*  What's  his  particular  point  ? 
Or  is  he  just  vague  ?" 

44  Oh,  he's  got  hold  of  something  to  prove  the  Old  Testament  was 
all  written  a*d*,  or  something*" 

44  Well,  we're  New  Testament  folks,  anyway;  so  it  wouldn't 
matter  as  much  as  if  the  New  Testament  was  written  b*c*  However, 
it  wasn't*  Nor  the  Old  Testament  a*d*" 

74 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


75 

44  Well,  he  didn't  say  that  exactly;  but  he  meant  lots  later  than  it 
professed  to  be;  and  somehow  he  made  out  that  all  the  prophecies 
were  proved  to  be  not  prophecies  at  all,  but  written  after  the  event, 
and  meaning  something  quite  different/' 

44  Listen;  it's  quite  true  that  anything  about  the  Old  Testament 
is  specially  difficult,  because  it  involves  a lot  of  critical  questions — 
he's  right  there — which  makes  it  desirable  one  should  know  Eastern 
languages  and  so  on  before  one  tackles  them  in  detail.  No  one 
would  think  of  beginning  to  teach  a man  Christianity  nowadays 
by  discussing  prophecies,  I suppose.  But  I believe  I could  put  a 
few  large  leading  notions  to  you  about  the  history  of  the  Jews  which 
might  be  useful." 

44  Carry  on,  then." 

44  Well,  I begin  by  saying  that  the  Jewish  people — the  Hebrews 
— stand  absolutely  alone  in  history,  in  a lot  of  ways.  They're 
unique." 

44  Thank  God  for  that,"  said  he,  disconcertingly.  44  Can't  stand 
Jews.  One  lot  of  Jews  is  plenty." 

**  Well,  that's  as  it  may  be.  But  now  look  at  this,  first.  Here's 
one  little  family,  clan  if  you  like,  detaching  itself  from  a huge  race 
and  an  enormous  Empire  in  Mesopotamia;  a large,  rich,  complicated 
military  monarchy;  very  civilized,  scientific  even,  artistic;  with  a 
strong  established  religion.  And  this  tiny  group  wanders  off  across 
the  continent  and  gets  towards  the  coast  of  the  Mediterranean,  and 
gets  mixed  up  with  a lot  of  other  tribes,  and  floats  off  to  Egypt,  and 
comes  back,  and  settles  down  after  a fashion,  gets  carted  away  to 
Egypt  again,  and  comes  back  again,  and  has  generations  of  fighting, 
and  at  last  develops  a King,  and  gets  an  ancient  city  for  a capital, 
and  then  gets  knocked  about  worse  than  ever,  splits  into  two,  and 
gets  deported  wholesale  back  to  where  it  came  from;  and  gets 
trampled  down  by  Greeks  of  a sort,  and  then  trampled  all  over  again 
by  Rome,  and  its  capital  razed  again  and  again — and  then  suddenly 
you  find  Assyria's  dead,  and  Babylon's  dead — Persia  and  Egypt  and 
Greece,  and  even  Rome,  as  a pagan  Empire,  and  yet — here  are 
the  Jews,  scattered  everywhere,  with  no  real  home,  German  Jews, 
Polish  Jews,  English  and  French  and  Eastern  Jews,  but  so  alive,  so 
special,  that  you  can  single  'em  out  to  hate  them  as  you  hate  no  one 
else,  and  certainly  none  of  those  ancient  Empires  they  came  from 
or  lived  among.  The  race  is  unique ." 

44  Jove  !"  he  said.  " I'd  never  thought  about  it  like  that." 

“ Now  notice,  the  only  thing  in  the  least  original  they  provided 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


76 

was  their  religion.  They  were  the  very  reverse  of  artists;  they 
weren't  scientists;  most  certainly  not  philosophers;  nor  lawyers  in 
the  Roman  sense;  they  produced  most  assuredly  an  unequalled 
poetry,  but  all  their  literature  is  religious,  inspired  by  their  religion, 
treating  all  history  from  a religious  point  of  view;  loving  Jerusalem 
with  a passionate  love  that  Athens  was  never  loved  with,  nor  Rome, 
nor  certainly  Paris  or  London,  because  the  Temple  was  there;  and, 
in  short,  such  that  you  see  that  the  law  of  their  religion  was  the  law 
of  their  life;  and  it  looks  as  though,  as  you  can't  kill  them,  so  neither 
can  you  kill  their  religion.  They  live  by  it,  and  it  makes  them  un- 
killable.  No  persecution  ever  has  annihilated  it  or  them." 

44  Well,  if  you  want  me  to  tell  the  truth,  I consider  their  religion 
was  perfectly  beastly.  Absolutely  bloodthirsty.  I thought  so  even 
at  school,  though  lots  of  the  Old  Test,  was  good  fun,  if  you'll  excuse 
my  saying  so.  But  I know  you  want  me  to  say  what  I think.  And 
as  for  the  Psalms  and  the  old  prophets,  no  one  ever  made  head  or 
tail  of  'em,  Vm  sure.  I didn't." 

44  Well,  some  people  do,  you  know.  But  I acknowledge  I don't 
think  the  Old  Testament's  very  well  taught  in  schools,  especially 
Protestant  schools,  where  they  make  so  much  of  it,  and  not  even  in 
Catholic  ones.  But  now  here's  a third  point,  and  very  much  to  the 
point.  Notice  that  whatever  was  bad  in  their  character — and  I 
agree  with  you  they  seem  to  have  had,  at  any  rate,  a detestable 
natural  character  on  the  whole — was  exactly  what  urged  them  away 
from  their  religion.  Whenever  they  try  to  mate  with  other  religions, 
and  they  were  always  trying  to,  it  was  with  peoples  and  religions 
which  were  savage  and  lustful  and  always  remained  so,  and  in  which 
the  lust  and  the  savagery  seem  to  have  been  part  and  parcel  of  their 
religions." 

I gave  him  some  details  of  the  worships  of  Moloch  and  Astarte 
till  he  began  to  be  shocked. 

44  But,"  I went  on,  44  there  was  always  some  force  or  other,  or 
persons — especially  your  prophets — who  kept  pulling  them  back 
to  their  own  religion,  and  what's  more,  kept  purifying  and  purifying 
their  idea  of  their  religion;  so  that  the  Jews  are  the  only  example  in 
history  of  a race  which  consistently  pursued  an  upward  evolution  in 
religion,  though  you'll  hear  the  exact  opposite  maintained  often 
enough.  You'll  hear  that  all  races,  Jews  included,  started  with 
worship  of  ghosts  or  ancestors,  or  lots  of  gods,  anyhow,  and  gradually 
purified  their  worship  and  their  creed.  But  they  didn't.  To  begin 
with,  you  have  to  do  violence  to  the  evidence  to  show  that  the  Jews 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


77 

hadn't — ever  since  Abraham's  period,  anyhow — a nucleus  of  real 
monotheism,  which  became  even  more  generally  and  more  properly 
understood  and  appropriated  by  the  race;  the  spiritual  worship  of 
one  only  Eternal  and  Almighty  God*  And  again,  you  have  to  do 
violence  to  evidence  to  show  that  anything  of  the  same  sort  went  on 
on  the  same  scale  anywhere  else*  Religions  elsewhere  became  more 
complicated  certainly,  but  not  purer*  There's  more  monotheism 
in  early  Egypt,  for  example,  than  in  later*  No;  gods  became  more 
numerous,  save  for  a few  philosophers  in  some  places ; and  worship 
mostly  became  worse*" 

44  Well,"  he  said, 44  no  doubt  that's  true  if  you  say  so.  It's  all  off 
my  beat*  But  I'll  take  your  word*  And  I did  always  feel  there 
was  something  uncanny  about  the  Jews*" 

44  Call  it  that  if  you  like*  Now  a fourth  point*  All  pagan  litera- 
ture looks  backwards;  all  Jewish,  forward*  See  what  I mean  ? 
Pagan  writers  picture  a golden  age  in  the  past  from  which  we've 
steadily  degenerated.  Only  once  in  a way,  at  a crisis,  they  are 
hopeful*  From  the  very  outset,  Jewish  literature,  which  expresses 
national  belief,  acknowledges  there's  been  a crash;  that  a disaster 
has  befallen  the  race;  but,  equally  from  the  outset  it  asserts  that 
there's  to  be  a restoration;  a Restorer*  Mind  you,  asserts * Not 
just  hopes,  or  guesses,  or  prays*  It  asserts ♦ Why  ? Because  it 
believes  God's  promised  it*  The  whole  of  that  literature  has  a 
unique  feature — absolutely  unshared*  The  God  it  believes  in,  who 
can't  lie,  has  promised  a Redeemer*  That's  prophecy  en  bloc ♦ Now, 
that  idea  is  permanent  and  grows ♦ He's  to  be  a descendant  of  David 
— and  thatfs  why  David,  they  feel,  is  so  important;  not  because  he's 
a great  conqueror,  but  because  he's  the  ancestor  of  the  King-to-be; 
for  it's  to  be  a King,  with  a Kingdom*  And  a holy  King,  with 
a righteous  Kingdom,  see  ? A Kingdom  which  is  to  be  the 
triumph  of  God*  And  a worldwide  triumph*  And  an  eternal 
triumph." 

44  I see  where  you're  wanting  to  take  me,"  he  said,  gravely* 

44  If  I were  explaining  this  to  you  in  detail,"  I said,  44  I should 
try  to  show  you  how  a purer  and  more  spiritual  idea  of  the  King 
and  Kingdom  is  always  dawning  through  a less  spiritual  one*  The 
prophets  often  see  one  thing  through  another*  For  example,  they 
saw  the  nation  so  persecuted,  God's  worship  so  dethroned  and  defiled, 
that  they  very  likely  longed  to  feel  that  the  coming  of  the  destined 
Saviour  was  due  for  them  ; things  couldn't  be  worse;  He  must  surely 
come  now  l But  they  never  exactly  say  so,  or  never  exclusively  so* 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


78 

Always  something  better  dawns  across  the  immediate  hope  of  mere 
national  restoration  or  triumph*  On  one  side,  the  idea  keeps 
spreading  out  and  universalizing  itself;  and  on  the  other  it  gets  tied 
down  and  made  more  detailed  in  many  ways*  For  example,  it  is 
certainly  stated  that  the  King  was  to  be  born,  not  only  of  David's 
stock,  but  with  David's  city  Bethlehem  for  birthplace*  Catholics 
have  always  believed  it  was  said  He  would  be  born  of  a Virgin* 
Especially  it  was  said  He  would  be  rejected  by  the  very  people  He  came 
to  save,  and  die — be  buried,  and  yet  triumph*  But  I don't  want  to 
go  into  details,  as  I said*  But  do  notice  that  all  sorts  of  converging 
lines  define  themselves;  three  especially,  one  leading  you  towards 
the  vision  of  this  destined  Saviour  as  suffering — though  the  Jews 
so  hated  the  idea  that  they  tried  hard  to  forget  those  prophecies; 
one,  that  this  Saviour  was  both  a * son  ' of  David,  and  yet  is  some 
quite  special  superhuman  relation  to  God  Himself;  and  third,  that 
His  full  Triumph  meant  the  consummation  of  all  history,  the  end 
of  this  world,  and  the  beginning  of  eternity*  No  one  put  all  these 
ideas  together;  but  when  Christ  came,  there  they  all  were,  floating, 
drifting,  yet  somehow,  no  more  developing;  but  they're  knotted 
together,  they  become  reciprocally  intelligible,  they  get  their  full 
meaning,  their  fulfilment,  in  Christ,  or  nowhere  *" 

He  sat  almost  horrorstruck* 

44  I wish  I'd  never  come  to  you,"  said  he, 44  I can't  cope  with  this*" 
He  puffed  at  his  pipe*  44  I didn't  quite  mean  that,"  he  resumed* 
44  But  it's  all  pretty  beastly  1 And  I don't  mean  that ,"  he  went  on 
after  a pause,  44  but,  oh  Lord  ! look  here,  I don't  want  to  be  let 
in  for  all  this — I'm  not  a religious  fellow*  I see  it's  all  damned 
serious,  but  I don't  want  to  be  serious*  You  make  me  damned 
uncomfortable*  I tell  you  I'm  not  the  sort  of  man  to  cope 
with  it*" 

44  My  dear  boy,"  I said*  44  The  first  thing  Christ'll  tell  you  when 
you  can  listen  to  Him,  is  that  God's  your  father,  and  that  there's 
nothing  to  be  afraid  of*  No  one  can  cope  with  it*  But  He  can  cope 
with  you,  I assure  you.  He  won't  make  you  uncomfortable,  except 
in  the  sense  you  make  a man  who's  been  snake-bitten — yes,  by  Jove, 
snake-bitten  ! or  frost-bitten,  anyway — uncomfortable  so  that  he 
shan't  settle  down  to  sleep  and  sleep  himself  into  death*  You're 
waking  up ; and  we  all  hate  getting  out  of  bed*  I'm  afraid  I'm  mixing 
my  metaphors*  But,  anyway,  show  pluck  ! And  say  4 Thy  King- 
dom Come*' " 

He  groaned,  and  got  up* 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


79 


“ Well,  anyway,  you’ll  come  to  dinner,  won’t  you  ?” 

“ Oh  yes,”  said  I,  “ I’ll  come.” 

***** 

I arrived  at  Blake's  home  at  7*30,  and  the  clergyman  sat  at  the 
farther  end  of  the  table,  and  I couldn't  talk  to  him  at  dinner  at  all* 
He  wore  a sort  of  black  silk  tube  instead  of  a waistcoat,  in  honour 
of  the  meal,  and  he  had  sandy  hair,  very  smooth*  He  didn't  talk  in 
the  ordinary  clergyman's  voice  at  all,  but  very  fast  and  eagerly,  in 
little  jerks,  shutting  his  eyes  and  pushing  his  neck  forward  and 
smiling*  I talked  about  Cubism  to  the  governess  on  my  right,  and 
about  the  fourth  dimension  to  Miss  Blake  on  my  left,  and  felt  I'd 
earned  my  dinner* 

After  the  meal  I was  pushed  up  near  Mr*  Archer* 

44  I've  so  much  wanted  to  meet  you,"  he  said,  shutting  his  eyes 
tight,  and  smiling*  44  I so  much  value  meeting  those  who — er — 
take  your  Aspect*  I try  to  see  all  sides*  I go  round  and  round” 

44  Don't  you  get  rather  giddy  ?"  I asked* 

He  laughed  his  curious  little  sniffing  laugh* 

44  Oh  sharp  ! sharp  1"  he  said;  and  I swore  to  myself  I'd  talk  sheer 
^uet  for  the  rest  of  the  evening* 

44  I know  it's  not  indiscreet  of  me,"  he  said, 44  if  I frankly  tell  you 
how  interested  I am  to  hear  that  you're  putting  the  Roman  position 
to  our  friend  here  " (Blake  scowled  at  that,  I thought), 44  and  I was 
so  impressed  to  think  that  I could  meet  a modern  thinker  who  had 
made  the  Reconciliation*" 

44  What  reconciliation  ?" 

He  looked  at  me  suspiciously  for  a moment* 

44  Between  the  results  of  modern  scientific  criticism  and  the 
dogmas  of  orthodoxy,  need  I say,"  he  answered* 

44  I really  don't  know  that  they  need  reconciling,"  said  I* 

44  But  how  interesting  1 You  mean  the  conclusions  of  science 
and  the  assertions  of  the  creeds  move  in  different  spheres,  on  different 
planes  ?" 

44  Oh,  partly*  Sometimes*  For  example,  anthropologists  are 
always  talking  about  the  Fall*  Well,  they  shouldn't*  The  Fall  was 
a supernatural  event,  and  no  amount  of  research  into  the  history  of 
civilization  will  ever  come  upon  anything  which  directly  concerns 
it*" 

44  But,"  said  he,  rather  less  gushingly,  44  you  mentioned  the  word 
4 supernatural*'  Now  what  exactly  do  you  mean  by  that  ? Can  we 
any  longer  assert  its  existence  in  view  of  modern  knowledge  ? Or, 


8o 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

if  we  do,  must  we  not  mean  by  it  something  really  different  from 
what  they  used  to  mean  ?" 

44  What  did  they  mean  by  Supernatural ' ?" 

44  Oh,  take  miracles  for  an  example/'  he  said,  44  Now  if  there's 
one  thing  we  can't  believe  in  the  old  sense,  and  I'm  sure  you,  like 
all  intelligent  people,  will  agree,  it's  ' miracles,' " 

44  Look,"  I said,  “ I'm  sure  the  servants  want  to  clear  away,  and 
they'll  be  expecting  us  upstairs  pretty  soon;  and  really,  to  embark  on 
the  philosophy  of  miracles  and  get  it  over  in  five  minutes  is  too  much 
of  a good  thing.  Shall  we  put  it  off  ?" 

“ Oh,  they  don't  expect  us  to  go  upstairs,"  said  Blake,  44 1 told 
them  we  were  going  to  have  a yarn,  and  since  you  have  to  go  back 
at  10,30  you  can  just  go  up  and  say  good-bye.  It's  all  arranged. 
We'll  go  to  the  smoking-room,  I really  want  to  hear  this," 

So  we  trooped  off  to  our  fate,  Reggie  and  I sulky  beyond  words, 
and  the  clergyman  enjoying  the  prospect  of  wiping  the  floor  with 
me,  to  the  greater  glory  of  the  Unknowable, 

Old  Mr,  Blake  went  upstairs  and  so,  thank  goodness,  did  Blake's 
younger  brother,  so  there  were  only  the  four  of  us. 

It  was  all  hideously  formal,  Blake  sat  down  on  the  padded  railing 
before  the  fire,  where  I wanted  to  sit,  too,  because  the  early  spring 
was  nearly  as  cold  as  midsummer;  but  I was  put  in  a large  chair, 
one  side,  and  Mr,  Archer  in  a large  chair  on  the  other,  and  Reggie 
sat,  very  surly,  on  a middle-sized  chair  between  us,  opposite  Blake, 
The  centre-point  of  this  group,  however,  was  a little  round  table 
for  our  coffee  cups,  and  there  was  some  curagoa,  so  I felt  somewhat 
pacified, 

44  I can't  conceive,"  said  Mr,  Archer,  still  with  his  eyes  shut,  and 
putting  the  tips  of  his  fingers  together,  44  why  you  make  so  much  of 
miracles.  All  religions  profess  to  have  had  them.  What  would  they 
prove  if  they'd  existed  ? Nothing," 

44  Let's  circumscribe  the  topic,"  I said,  44  to  Christian  miracles. 
It's  legitimate.  In  reality,  there  aren't  many  rival  claimants.  One 
or  two  worked  by  4 Emperor 's-touch  ' — -Vespasian,  wasn't  it  ? — a 
paralytic  whom  he  touched  and  who  walked.*  A few  by  Apollonius 
of  Tyana.  And  cures  said  to  have  taken  place  in  the  clinic-shrines 
of  Asklepios.  But  those  are  very  few,  very  badly  off  for  evidence* 
and  they  occurred  in  a setting  quite  different  from  that  of  the  Gospel 
miracles.  Frankly,  I don't  believe  there's  matter  there  for  argu- 
ment, You  can't  be  sure  enough  of  what  happened." 

“ As  a matter  of  fact,"  said  Reggie — it  was  amusing  to  see  how 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


81 


resolutely  he  refused  to  join  in  the  discussion,  but  addressed  all 
his  remarks  to  me,  seeking  an  authoritative  Yes  or  No,  which 
annoyed  Mr.  Archer  worse  than  anything  else  did,  all  the  evening 
through.  44  As  a matter  of  fact,  could  there  be  pagan  miracles  ?" 

44  I don't  see  why  not,"  said  I.  44  I don't  see  why  God  shouldn't 
work  a miracle  on  behalf  of  anyone  in  good  faith  and  with  good  will. 
Unless,  of  course,  the  miracle  was  claimed  to  prove  something  false, 
or  for  an  immoral  purpose  But  whether  there  were  any,  I don't 
believe  you  can  ever  find  out,  now.  But  I see  no  reason  to  reject* 
unexamined,  a miracle  worked,  say,  on  a modern  Protestant,  who 
asked  for  it  in  simplicity,  and  relying  on  the  promises  of  Christ." 

44  But  have  you  any  better  evidence,"  said  Mr.  Archer,  44  for  the 
Gospel  miracles  ?" 

44  You  have,"  said  I.  44  But  since  we  can't  possibly  talk  about 
anything  and  everything,  not,  for  example,  about  Biblical  criticism 
as  well  as  miracles,  let's  stick  to  miracles.  And  I say  that  there's 
as  good  evidence  for  the  Gospel  miracles  happening  as  there  is  for 
any  other  events  related  in  them;  and  by  miracle  I mean  here,  an 
event  quite  beyond  the  combined  result  of  the  laws  which  normally 
govern  human  life,  and  worked  in  connection  with  the  historical 
character  Jesus  Christ,  and  usually  in  function  of  His  claim  to  be  the 
Messiah  and  God's  spokesman,  and  often  directly  offered  as  a proof 
that  in  claiming  to  be  that.  He  was  claiming  what  God,  by  such  a 
miracle,  could  guarantee.  And  you  must  let  me  assume  what  really 
I think  you  ought  to,  nowadays,  that  the  literary  evidence  is  good, 
and  that  whatever  the  nucleus  of  the  Gospels  may  have  been,  it 
included — they  all  admit  it  now,  don't  they  ?-— the  narrative  of  certain 
outstanding  miracles." 

44  They  were  surely  the  product  of  the  myth-making  spirit  of  the 
times  ! Of  a conviction  that  the  man  they  thought  to  be  Messiah 
must  have  worked  such  marvels." 

44  Well,  was  there  time — first,  to  invent  such  myths;  then  to  con- 
vince the  Apostles,  who'd  been  there  with  Christ,  that  the  miracles 
had  happened;  then  to  impose  such  a belief  on  the  Christian  folk  ? 
After  all,  they  weren't,  I imagine,  so  very  different  from  the  rest 
of  the  world;  yet,  when  much  more  "successful'  claimants  to 
Messiahship  than  Our  Lord  was  came  along,  the  world  did  not 
surround  them  with  a halo  of  invented  miracles.  I don't  believe 
in  this  craze  for  inventing  miracles.  I see  no  evidence  for  it.  It's 
only  talked  about  because  some  reason  has  to  be  found  for  calling 
the  Gospel  ones  myths.  When  people  did  invent  miracles,  and 

6 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


82 

publish  them,  for  example,  in  the  Apocryphal  gospels,  they  were 
pretty  quickly  turned  down*  But,  after  all,  I don't  see  why  you 
want  to  deny  that  the  things  happened*  If  you  think  the  Gospel 
miracles  are  too  remote  to  study  properly,  look  at  Lourdes*  The 
same  things  happen  there  under  your  nose — except,  I confess, 
resurrections  from  the  dead,  or  stilling  a storm,  or  multiplying  loaves*" 

“ Oh,  ah,  Lourdes  ! But  that's  easily  accounted  for*  The  power 
of  suggestion  in  functional  derangements  is  limitless*  Hysteria  can 
be  cured  by  hypnosis;  and  the  effect  of  the  will  of  the  crowd  upon 
these  semi-hysterical  paralytics  and  what  not  is  an  ample  explanation 
of  what  happens  at  Lourdes*" 

44  But  can  that  be  said  ?"  Reggie  asked  me*  “ I've  read  quite  a 
lot  about  Lourdes*  I quite  understood  that  no  one  now  was  per- 
mitted to  say  that  hysteria  or  nerves  or  all  that  sort  of  thing  was 
sufficient  to  explain  Lourdes*" 

44  Not  unless  you  can  say  that  cancer,  lupus,  Pott's  disease,  very 
advanced  consumption,  broken  bones,  very  deep  and  suppurating 
ulcers,  and  so  on,  are  nervous  illnesses,  and  can  be  cured  instan- 
taneously by  a nervous  shock*  Here  is  a minimum,  Mr*  Archer* 
If  your  philosophy  allows  you  to  deny  the  existence  of  matter  or 
the  reality  of  time,  then  I think  you  can  extricate  yourself  from  the 
miraculous  character  of  what  happens  at  Lourdes*  Large  masses 
of  living  tissue  appear  instantaneously  where  there  was  none  before. 
Caverns  in  lungs  are  filled,  with  living  tissue,  and  instantaneously  ♦ 
Now,  even  if  it  could  happen  that  such  living  tissue  should  come 
into  existence,  by  way  of  nutrition  and  assimilation,  it  would  happen 
slowly  however  much  you  speeded  it  up*  For  it  to  happen  instan- 
taneously, you  require  the  action  of  laws  which  medicine  knows 
nothing  whatever  about  and  can't  cope  with;  and  that's  exactly 
what  the  supporters  of  the  theory  of  miracles  say  do  act*" 

“ Well,"  said  Mr.  Archer, 44  I've  not  been  to  Lourdes,  and  I can't 
test  what  you  say*  But  why  shouldn't  it  all  be  due  to  unknown 
natural  laws,  and  not  God  at  all  directly  ?" 

44  I'll  allow  this*  If  it's  not  due  to  God,  it's  got  to  be  due  not  only 
to  natural  laws  which  you  don't  know,  but  to  natural  laws  which 
contradict  several  you  do,  as  I've  said.  Now  why  are  you  driven  to 
assuming  that  must  be  how  the  Lourdes  phenomena  are  worked  ? 
Because  you  start  with  a determination  that  there  shall  be  no  super- 
natural events,  and  so,  if  an  inexplicable  event  occurs,  you  say, 
without  any  evidence,  4 1 now  see  Nature  can  not  only  do  more 
than  I thought  it  could,  but  what  I was  sure  it  couldn't*  Sooner 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  83 

than  admit  divine  agency,  Fll  scrap  all  I've  got  of  scientific  certainty 
hitherto/  " 

44  Look  here/'  he  said,  “ let's  be  honest*  I'll  tell  you  exactly 
why  I can't  admit  miracles,  quite  independently  of  evidence*  To 
my  mind  it's  impossible,  and  it's  immoral  for  God  to  interfere  with 
natural  laws*  If  He  works  a miracle,  interferes  with  nature,  for  the 
sake  of  an  individual,  well,  it's  gross  favouritism,  and  it's  confessing 
He'd  made  the  world  badly  in  the  first  instance;  and  again,  if  even 
one  miracle  has  been  worked,  still  more,  if  God  is  liable  to  work 
miracles,  so  to  say,  well,  everything's  thrown  into  uncertainty,  and 
there's  an  end  of  science*" 

“ And  let  it  rip,"  said  Reggie,  to  the  ceiling  this  time* 

“ We  have  not  all  the  same  amount  of  intellectual  detachment  as 
you  seem  to  have,  Mr*  Orwylstree,"  said  Mr*  Archer,  rather  acidly* 
44  Some  of  us  value  science*" 

Reggie  puffed  smoke  rings,  and  said  nothing* 

44  About  all  these  laws  of  nature,"  said  I*  0 What's  a law  of 
nature  ? It  means  that  you  watch  natural  objects  and  observe  that 
they  always  act  in  the  same  way,  in  the  same  circumstances*  Push 
a stone  over  the  edge  of  the  window-sill  and  if  there's  nothing  to  stop 
it,  it'll  always  fall*  Leave  it  lying  on  the  ground,  let  nothing  touch 
it,  there  it'll  stay*  Well,  an  architect  comes  along;  he  sees  the  stone> 
he  takes  it,  and,  according  to  a quite  different  kind  of  law,  that  by 
which  his  mind  works,  he  knocks  it  into  a shape,  and  what  is  more, 
into  the  proper  shape  for  a particular  part,  say,  of  a Cathedral*  The 
stone  doesn't  instantly  start  yelling  out:  4 You're  interfering  with 
my  laws*  Let  me  alone*  Don't  bully  me  !'  The  architect's  not 
interfering  with  its  laws,  but  bringing  his  mind's  laws  to  work  in 
with  the  stone's  laws;  and  a perfectly  different  result  takes  place  to 
what  would  have  been  had  the  stone  and  the  architect  never  met* 
And  observe,  the  result  succeeds  only  if  both  obey  their  laws  perfectly 
— if  the  architect's  mind  gives  way,  the  Cathedral  won't  stand  up; 
if  the  stone  was  soft,  and  good  for  carving  into  a cornice,  and 
suddenly  acted  4 illegally,'  and  made  itself  hard,  it  would  be  a bad 
carving;  and  if  it  really  were  hard,  and  was  meant  to  be  used  as  a 
foundation,  and  acted  softly,  it  would  crumble,  and  the  building 
fall,  and  all  would  be  spoilt*  So  here  you  get  a certain  result  by  one 
set  of  laws  being  brought  to  work  in  with  another  set  of  laws;  the 
result  is  utterly  beyond  what  stone-laws  could  bring  about  by  them- 
selves; but  they've  not  been  interfered  with;  and  if  you  know  both 
sets  of  laws  you  can  make  a perfectly  good  scientific  statement  of 


84  MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

what's  happened*  So  if  God,  whom  we  believe  to  exist  and  to  act 
freely,  chooses  to  bring  a higher  set  of  laws  to  work  in  with  our  set,  a 
result  else  impossible  occurs,  but  nothing  unscientific  or  arbitrary* 
And  as  for  what  Mr*  Orwylstree  said  about  science,  well,  as  I said, 
there  are  different  sorts  of  laws;  for  instance,  moral  laws;  and  I'd 
certainly  far  rather  ascertain  a moral  law  than  the  law,  say,  which 
governs  telephones*  I prize  both  sorts,  but  I'd  willingly  sacrifice 
physical  science  to  moral  knowledge*" 

44  Would  you  really  ?"  he  asked*  44  Can  one  be  so  sure  at  all  that 
one  ever  possesses  moral  certainty  ?" 

44  The  less  you  are  sure,"  I said,  I fear  rather  primly,  “ the  less 
you  must  permit  yourself  to  say  what  God  ought  or  oughtnft  to  do, 
whether  by  way  of  a miracle  or  not*  I've  even  known  some  gentle- 
men who  said  they  discerned  what  miracles  in  the  Gospels  or  in 
history  to  accept  and  which  to  reject,  by  their  moral  sense*  They 
corrected  the  Gospels  by  their  conscience*  It  never  occurred  to 
them  to  educate  their  conscience  by  the  Gospels*  Until  you  know 
all  the  circumstances,  and  that's  the  full  contents  of  the  soul  for 
whose  sake  the  miracle  is  worked,  and  all  its  future,  how  can  you 
possibly  venture  to  say  whether  God  ought  or  oughtn't  to  lift  its 
system  of  laws  into  active  conjunction  with  higher  systems,  with 
Himself  in  the  long  run  ? If  there's  anyone  arbitrary  in  this  depart- 
ment, it's  the  man  who  says  God  can't , and  God  shan't ♦ A little 
humility  !" 

He  sighed,  and  I felt  kindlier  towards  him* 

44  Don't  you  make  the  whole  thing  harder  for  yourself,"  I said, 
“ by  trying  to  take  one  4 miracle  ' at  a time  and  trying  to  explain 
it  away,  and  then  the  next,  and  so  on  ? Or,  at  best,  by  thinking  of 
them  simply  as  odd  conjuring  tricks  done  to  make  you  jump  ? 
Oughtn't  one  to  keep  one's  eye  on  Our  Lord's  miracles,  anyhow, 
as  a group,  and,  in  fact,  as  a series,  and  as  done  in  connection  with  a 
certain  teaching  and  also  a certain  character  ? It  is  true  they  can 
be  looked  at  as  signs — as  popular  proofs,  * omnium  intelligent^ 
accommodata,'  as  the  Vatican  Council  said,  4 suited  to  the  ordinary 
mind*'  But,  now  look  a little  further*  Suppose  you  believe — 
as  surely  you  do  believe — in  God  as  what  Our  Lord  told  us  to 
think  of  Him — as  a Father,  a Heart  absolutely  yearning  with  love 
for  His  human  creatures,  yearning  to  communicate  Himself  to  them, 
and  happy  of  any  excuse,  so  to  say,  for  revealing  Himself  to  them, 
isn't  it  likely  that  on  every  occasion  we  let  Him,  He'll  manifest 
His  power  and  love,  and  bring  more  order  into  the  world,  a richer 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  85 

order,  and  I daresay  more  quickly  ? And  if  you  believe,  as  I can't 
help  supposing  you  do,  that  He'd  made  a tremendous  invasion  into 
our  world  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ,  if  He'd  made  that  sort  of 
breach  in  the  closed  system  we  so  wantonly  keep  building  up  out  of 
our  tiny  knowledge  of  one  sub-department  of  nature  and  its  laws, 
isn't  it  likely  that  His  love  and  power  would  come  penetrating  into 
our  world  through  all  the  chinks  and  crannies,  so  to  say,  as  well  as 
through  the  great  central  channel  of  the  Person  of  Christ  ? It's 
possible,  as  I said,  to  work  up  to  Christ's  personality  through  the 
miracles,  but  when  you've  got  a knowledge  of  Christ,  can't  you 
work  back  from  that  to  the  miracles  ? You  ought  to  see  all  these 
things  in  function  of  one  another,  prophecies,  miracles,  Christ*  If 
there  had  been  a quantity  of  prophecies  about  someone  who  turned 
out  to  be  no  one  in  particular,  neither  very  good  nor  very  influential, 
like  you  and  me,  or  even  influential  in  a worldly  way  merely,  as 
Julius  Caesar,  or  Shakespeare,  then  one  would  be  right  to  be  biassed 
against  the  prophecies,  and  see  if  they  weren't  easily  explained  by 
flukes,  or  mistakes,  or  in  some  other  way*  And  if  someone  who 
was  immoral,  or  just  neutral,  with  nothing  special  about  him,  started 
to  work  miracles — Napoleon,  or  Wellington,  or  again,  you  or  I — well, 
you'd  be  right  in  hesitating  to  believe  in  those  miracles  and  strug- 
gling to  get  rid  of  them*  But  when  you  know  what  you  do  of  God, 
and  that  He  wants  to  win  souls  to  union  with  Him,  and  love  for 
Him;  when  you  see  how,  anyhow,  He  lived  in,  and  was  revealed  in, 
Jesus  Christ,  then  it's  not  wonderful  that  He  should  have  kept 
making  people  want  Our  Lord;  should  have  promised  Our  Lord; 
should  have  kept  saying  Our  Lord  was  coming;  and  when  He  did 
come,  should  constantly  and  most  lovingly  and  most  beautifully  have 
acted  through  Him,  not  only  as  little  as  possible  and  in  one  way  only, 
but  as  much  as  possible  and  in  all  the  ways*" 

44  I didn't  know  you  would  still  speak  like  that,"  said  he*  “ It's 
quite  different  from  my  habitual  line  of  thought*  Can  one  really," 
he  asked,  not  smiling  now, 44  talk  of  the  love  of  God  and  mean  any- 
thing by  it  ? Isn't  it  our  human  way  merely  of  reflecting  our  own 
feelings  and  wishes  on  to  God  ? Haven't  we  built  Him  up  in  our 
own  image  ? For  what  is  God  ? How  can  we  state  Him  ? And 
Christ — seriously,  can  one  be  expected  to  feel  love  for  anyone  who 
died  2,000  years  ago  ? He  was  a beautiful  character,  one  may  be 
sure,  and  one  can  use  much  of  what  He  bequeathed  to  us,  as  example; 
but  even  He  was  limited,  subject  to  the  errors  of  His  own  time,  and 
I daresay  faults*  But  enter  into  personal  relations  with  Him  ? 


86 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


Let  us  be  glad  if  what  we  feel  may  have  been  His  spirit  is  alive  in 
our  own  hearts,  and  foster  that  as  best  we  may,” 

“ I say/'  said  Blake,  who  hadn't  spoken  yet,  “ would  it  be 
frightful  impertinence  on  my  part  if  I asked  how  you  can  carry  on 
as  a — in  your  profession — if  you  think  that  sort  of  thing  ? At  least 
unless  I'm  mistaking  you  altogether," 

44  I do  very  little  active  work,  Mr,  Blake,"  said  the  clergyman, 
suddenly  opening  his  eyes  quite  wide,  44  I am — well,  a student," 

44  But,  look  here,  you  took  the  services  last  Sunday,  And  I know 
you  preached,  because  the  guv'nor  told  me — I'm  afraid  I've  given 
myself  away  rather  badly;  as  a matter  of  fact,  I was  playing  golf; 
but  then,  well,  I don't  profess  to — oh  well,  the  point  is,  how  d'you 
manage  it  ? For  instance,  when  you  say  the  Creed  ?" 

Mr,  Archer  shut  his  eyes  again, 

44  It  would  be  tedious  if  I took  each  article  of  the  Creed  and  told 
you  how  I can  truthfully  recite  it.  The  Resurrection  ! Well,  is 
Christ  dead  ? Is  not  His  Spirit,  as  I said,  still  living  ? He  is  risen 
then,  and  He  works  among  us.  And  the  despised  Galilean  is  wor- 
shipped by  many  millions.  He  has  triumphed,  more  than  is  given 
to  most  men.  Is  not  that  an  Ascension  ? A sharing  God's  throne  ? 
The  Trinity  ? Well,  I own  I have  never  been  much  interested  in 
the  numerical  aspect  of  the  Trinity,  But  need  I go  on  ? I can 
preach  the  eternal  truths  of  science  and  of  morality.  And  as  a 
clergyman,  I can  lead  many  who  are  tempted  to  throw  all  religion 
overboard,  owing  to  modern  difficulties,  to  the  spiritual  equivalent 
for  the  old  dogmas,  I can  re-state  the  ancient  faith.  Indeed,  I 
feel  that,"  said  he,  with  his  quick  little  sniff  and  smile,  44  to  be 
my  special  job," 

44  And  a damned  rotten  job  it  is,"  said  Reggie,  flaring  suddenly, 
“ if  you'll  forgive  me  saying  so,  I'm  a younger  man,  I know,  and 
not  a scholar,  but  at  least  I've  got  a knowledge  of  what  the  average 
fellow  feels,  and  I tell  you,  with  all  due  respect,  what  you  say  won't 
wash.  If  I came  to  you  and  said,  4 Was  Christ  born  of  a virgin  ?' 
you  ought  to  say,  4 No,  He  wasn't,'  4 Did  He  rise  from  the  dead  ?' 
4 No,  He  didn't,'  4 Does  He  know  or  care  anything  about  me  now  ? 
And  can  He  help  me  ?'  4 No,  He  doesn't,  and  He  can't,'  Then 
we'd  know  where  we  were.  Then  you  can  start  out  clear,  putting 
your  collar  on  the  ordinary  way  round  and  presenting  yourself  as  a 
don  or  a doctor  or  what  you  like,  but  not  as  a minister  of  the  Church 
of  England,  Go  and  try  your  stunt  on  the  ordinary  man.  Try  it 
in  the  army.  See  what  happens.  They  did  try  it,  lots  of  'em. 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  87 

Some  of  'em  washed  it  all  down  to  what  you  do;  some  of  'em  tried 
to  put  it  on  a sort  of  John  Bull  or  Billy  Sunday  level — called  Our 
Lord  4 a good  sort/  a 4 gallant  gentleman/  and  what  not;  and  I tell 
you  it  disgusted  them*  Sharp  eyes  they've  got*  First-rate  sense* 
See  through  it  every  time*  The  Catholic  priest  comes  round;  and 
he  says,  4 Lads,  you've  committed  a lot  of  mortal  sins,  very  likely, 
and  if  you're  not  sorry,  you'll  go  to  hell  for  it  and  lose  God  for  ever* 
But  you  know  what  to  do*  You  know  how  to  make  your  act  of 
contrition,  and  how  to  go  to  confession,  and  I'll  give  you  absolution 
in  God's  name  and  then  you're  clean  and  free*  And  then  I'll  give  you 
Our  Lord's  Body  and  Blood  in  Holy  Communion,  and  I'll  offer  the 
adorable  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  for  you,  and  you'll  go  off  and  try  to 
do  better,  and  if  you're  killed  you'll  go  to  Purgatory,  and  the  rest 
of  us'll  pray  for  your  soul*'  Knew  where  they  were,  those  priests 
did*  Gave  'em  something  to  bite  upon*  And  the  Protestant 
officers  or  N*C*0*'s,  who  might  be  taking  the  parade,  knew  it,  too* 
Modernism  ? Wash-out*  Keep  it  for  Cathedral  towns  and 
universities*  Don't  give  it  to  us*" 

44  My  dear  Mr*  Orwylstree,"  began  Mr*  Archer,  rather  bewildered, 
*4  I wouldn't  think  of  giving  it  to  you;  I'm  only  too  envious  of  your 

serene  and  childlike  faith — I " 

44  Oh  /or,"  said  Reggie,  getting  up*  44  Look  here,  I apologize,  sir* 
You  have  your  way  of  looking  at  things,  and  it's  not  for  a layman 
like  me  to  criticize*  Blake,  I'm  excessively  sorry  for  making  a scene. 
Shan't  occur  again*  I'll  get  out  my  old  bike  if  you  don't  mind,  and 
hop  it*  Bye-bye,  Father." 

And  he  disappeared,  quite  forgetting  the  family  upstairs* 

Blake  was  driving  me  back  in  the  side-car,  and  as  the  hedges  tore 
past  us,  he  said — feeling,  I take  it,  more  at  his  ease  while  doing  some- 
thing, and  in  the  dark: 

44  Look  here,  padre,  it  impresses  a chap  like  me  more  than  a little 
when  he  sees  a man  like  Orwylstree,  who's  not  a pious  sort  of  weak- 
ling— well,  when  he  sees  him  care  like  that  for  his  religion*  Makes 
you  see  someone  feels  there's  something  in  it*  Better  than  yards  of 
arguing*  I'm  glad  I asked  him*  The  parson  had  begun  to  make 
me  feel  rotten*  Orwylstree  put  it  right  again*" 

44  You  may  realize,  some  day,"  I said, 44  that  he's  doing  more  than 
you  guess,  just  now,  for  the  sake  of  his  religion*" 

44  Is  he,  indeed?"  said  Blake;  then  he  continued:  44  And  I tell 
you  this*  I'm  saying  my  prayers  regularly*  Not  much,  you 
know,  just  the  Our  Father  and — well,  damn  it,  why  not  say  ? — 


88 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


some  prayers  for  my  people,  and  to  be  good,  and  a jolly  old 
hymn  or  two,  something  which  I'd  learnt  as  a kid.  And  I've 
started  reading  odd  bits  of  the  Gospels,  just  as  I would  any  other 
book,  you  know,  just  to  see  what  happened.  And  what — what 
Christ  was  like . Quite  a new  idea  to  me." 

“ And  what,"  I said,  44  d'you  feel  He  was  like  ?" 

The  motor  bicycle  swerved  slightly. 

44  I'm  not  quite  able  to  talk  about  it  yet,  padre.  Sometimes  it 
makes  me  feel  rotten,  and  sometimes — well,  sometimes  it  doesn't." 

But  we  had  come  to  Wilchurch,  and  drove  noisily  through  the  old 
East  Gate,  over  which  the  Angel  knelt,  uttering  his  eternal  Ave  to 
our  Lady,  and  announcing  to  the  weary  millions  of  humanity  God's 
Incarnation. 


Chapter  X 


HE  spring  was  still  new  when  I received  a letter  from  Miss 


Silver*  She  had  lost  her  way  near  Paddington,  looking  for 


a Barmaids'  Rest-house  she  had  been  told  to  visit  in  that 
neighbourhood,  and,  turning  down  a side-street,  to  her  amazement, 
she  saw  the  tawny  forelock  of  the  Corporal  flickering  over  the 
counter  of  a small  fried-fish  shop;  and  when,  above  the  door,  she 
read  the  simple  legend  Frank's,  she  felt  so  sure  that  it  was  he 
that  the  audacious  woman  entered,  introduced  herself  as  a friend 
of  mine,  and  enquired  the  way*  She  and  the  Corporal  had,  evi- 
dently, a most  pleasant  conversation,  and  she  explained  to  me 
exactly  where  the  shop  was;  so  when,  rather  later  on,  I missed  my 
train  at  Paddington  and  couldn't  get  home,  anyway,  till  late,  I went 
off  to  try  to  track  him  down* 

The  shop  was  tucked  away  behind  the  station,  as  she'd  told  me,  in 
the  sort  of  district  where  you  didn't  expect  slums,  but  where  things 
are  pretty  bad,  and  the  worse  for  their  dingy  wash  of  respectability* 
His  little  street,  however,  was  less  respectable  than  most,  and  you 
felt  less  morally  suffocated,  whatever  you  might  think  about  the 
smells*  I visited  him  rather  before  what  I thought  would  be  closing- 
time,  and  decided  to  take  the  last  train  home* 

It  was  a tiny  place;  the  shop  itself,  and  a cupboard  of  a room 
behind  it*  However,  I saw  a fire  flickering  in  there,  and  it  might 
have  the  elements  of  cosiness*  One  gas-jet  flared  in  the  shop,  and 
an  ingenious  system  of  tin  reflectors,  which  he'd  obviously  invented, 
gathered  the  light  and  cast  it  down  on  the  sloping  marble  slab  in  the 
window*  The  fish  looked  rather  blood-curdling;  but  the  sight  of 
the  Corporal  under  the  gas  encouraged  me,  though  I couldn't  resist 
pausing  a minute  to  read  the  head-lines  of  his  price  list,  placarded 
by  the  door* 


AS  SERVED  TO 

H*R*H*  The  Prince  of  Wales 
in  his  Dug-out  at  G*H*Q*  Hell,  near  Ypres 
by  Corporal  Frank  Newnes* 

(Late  of  the  107th  Middlesex  Regiment.) 


F 


'RANK'S 

RIED 

ISH 


go 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


Aghast  at  his  inventiveness  I entered*  And  I found  an  elderly 
lady  saying  earnestly  to  the  Corporal : 

44  And  as  I says  to  Mrs*  'Olmes:  4 If  you  can't  be  as  good  as  you 
should,  be  as  good  as  you  can/  and  4 Mrs*  Barrett/  she  says  to  me, 
4 if  we  all  'ad  the  same  noble  sentiments  as  you,  Mrs*  Barrett/  she 
says, 4 different  indeed  would  be  the  world,  Mrs*  Barrett,'  she  says*" 
Here  Mrs*  Barrett  fixed  me  with  a hazy  eye* 

But  the  all-seeing  Corporal  had  long  ago  observed  me*  He 
leaned  across  his  counter  and  shook  hands  violently* 

But  Mrs*  Barrett  interposed* 

44  Though  not  wishful  to  interrupt,  Mr*  Newnes,"  she  said, 44  nor 
would  I so  far  demean  meself  nor  afflict  me  own  affairs  upon  the 
reverend  gentleman,  declare  I will,  and  none  shall  stop  me,  that  if 
that  there  Welfare  Visitor  were  a Visitor , give  me  burglars*  Flounce 
into  me  room  she  did,  as  I were  sayin',  though  flounce  is  not  the 
word,  such  is  the  petticoats  they  wears  nowadays,  nor  I wouldn't 
condescend  meself,  nor  do  I believe  they  fas  none,  but  when  I says 
petticoats  I mean  them  skimpy  skirts  as  wouldn't  make  a coverin' 
for  a bird-cage  tho'  not  to  you  would  I be  sayin'  it,  Mr*  Newnes, 
bein'  but  a bachelor,  nor  yet  the  reverend  gentleman*  But  in  she 
come  an'  'as  a envelope  in  'er  'and  wot's  marked  Urgent  by  the 
Council,  and  4 Mrs*  Barrett,'  says  she,  4 your  Anna  Jane  'as  got  to 
'ave  her  teeth  see  to  this  instant  an'  I'm  come  to  fetch  'er*'  An' 
4 Ma'am,'  says  1, 4 teeth  it  may  be  or  teeth  it  may  not  be,  but  see  that 
pore  child  suffer  I will  not,  nor  yet  vaccinated,  which  if  it  be  not 
flyin'  in  the  face  of  Almighty  Providence  I asks  you  but  to  tell  me  1 
But  see  that  there  innercent  child  settin'  in  the  dentist's  chair  an' 
bein'  tortured  I could  not,  nor  I will  not*'  An'  I'll  make  bold  to 
ask  the  reverend  gentleman  'ere,  bein'  a gentleman  as  I sees  well, 
'avin'  been  brought  up  so  meself  an'  most  select,  ask  you  I does. 
Mister,  if  I was  wrong*" 

44  Perhaps,  Mrs*  Barrett,"  said  I,  timidly, 44  if  the  Council  marked 
it  4 urgent ' it  meant  that  your  little  Anna  Jane's  teeth  were  really 
very  bad*  If  she  didn't  have  them  seen  to  she  might  get  poisoned 
all  through,  you  know,  and  * * ♦ and  * * ♦ her  little  face  come  out 
all  over  spots,"  said  I,  with  a really  fine  flight  of  imagination* 

44  And  if  them  was  not  my  very  words  to  Mrs*  'Olmes,"  said  she, 
surprisingly*  44  4 Mrs*  'Olmes,'  I says,  4 look  at  your  own  little 
'Epzibah,'  says  I,  'er  bein'  Particular  Bible  Christian  an'  namin' 
her  family  accordin',  4 that's  worse  spotted  nor  a Christmas  slice, 
an'  never  been  near  the  cruel  dentist,  such  is  your  tender  'eart*' " 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  91 

44  Quite  so,"  said  I*  “ Perhaps  if  she'd  had  a couple  of  bad  teeth 
out,  she  might  have  been  saved  all  those  spots*  That's  what  I say*" 

44  That's  what  you  says,  is  it  ?"  exclaimed  this  astonishing  woman, 
turning  on  me  with  much  ferocity*  44  And  '00  may  you  be,  Mister 
black-coat,  which  many  a decent  widder  'as  more  right  to  it  than 
you,  when  all's  said  ! Sidin'  with  them  Welfare  'ussies  invadin'  of 
the  'ome  as  the  'tecs  themselves  would  think  twice  on  afore  they 
ventured*  Spots,  is  it  ? Spots  to  you,  as  has  never  'ad  a mother's 
'eart,  which  even  my  fourth  has  it,  though  not  a day  more  nor 
thirteen,  an'  when  I says  to  'er, 4 Amelia,'  says  I,  * if  you  'as  the  face 
'an  the  'eart  to  take  yer  little  sister  to  the  dentist,  take  'er,'  says  I, 
4 an'  never  look  me  in  the  eyes  again*  For  see  'er  suffer  I will  not  f 
an'  with  that  she  ups  an'  she  screams  an'  4 Never  arsk  me,  Ma, 
cries  she, 4 never  you  arsk  me,  for  see  it  I could  not  nor  could  I ever 
bear  it*'  Purple  she  was  afore  she'd  done,  an'  the  neighbours  as 
was  standin'  round  the  door,  they  'ad  to  smack  'er  cruel  between  the 
shoulder-blades  afore  she  give  over,  an'  Welfare  Winnie  she  pick 
up  'er  skirts  an'  she  run  for  it,  an'  as  for  'er  'at  it  would  have  dis- 
graced the  'alls,"  said  Mrs*  Barrett,  dabbing  her  eyes* 

44  Look  'ere,  Far-ther,"  said  Frank,  at  last  getting  an  edgeways 
word  in, 44  you  'op  it  fer  a hour  or  so  an'  then  we'll  'ave  closed  down, 
an'  peace  an'  quiet  will  reign  once  more  in  me  little  'ome*  You 
come  back,  Far-ther,  an'  you  an'  me'll  do  our  bit  of  yappin'  by  our 
lonesome*  You  'op  it*" 

A prolonged  wail  from  Mrs*  Barrett  followed  me  out  into  the 
dark,  and  I left  the  unfortunate  Frank  to  make  the  best  of  her 
hysterics*  I felt  sure  he  was  competent*  When  I returned  the 
little  window  light  was  out,  and  the  street  was  silent*  But  through 
the  glass  I could  see  into  the  inner  room,  of  which  the  door  stood 
open;  and  there  was  Frank,  sitting  and  staring  into  the  fire*  Even 
when  I entered  the  shop  he  didn't  hear  me*  In  the  firelight  the 
shadows  of  his  stooping  face  were  very  defined*  They  started  up 
by  his  eyes  and  followed  the  hollows  of  his  cheeks  and  passed  into 
the  strong  lines  scarred  downwards  by  his  mouth*  He  was  always 
thin,  but  he  looked  thinner,  like  that,  and  the  lines  very  marked 
indeed*  His  face  was  curiously  grave;  not  despondent,  not  anxious, 
but  somehow  very  serious*  I paused  a minute,  spellbound  by  the 
sense  of  his  personality,  his  lonely  selfhood,  as  he  sat  with  his  elbows 
on  his  knees,  hands  clasped,  and  stared  into  the  fire*  The  world 
fell  away  around  him;  nothing  mattered,  for  a moment,  that  was  not 
he*  I was  so  frightened,  somehow,  that  honestly  I almost  retreated; 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


92 

I couldn't  break  through  the  invisible  things  that  fenced  him;  it 
became  impossible  to  feel  that  anything  less  than  God  and  His 
angels,  and  sin,  and  hell,  and  heaven  were  concentrated  there.  Yet 
he  never  moved,  but  sat,  very  grave,  Watching  the  red  glow. 

In  a moment  he  felt  my  presence,  and  sprang  up,  grinning.  I 
went  quickly  in. 

44  Don't  light  the  gas,  Frank,"  I said.  44  Let's  sit  like  this." 

A kettle  already  was  whispering  on  the  fire ; and  he  produced,  to 
my  surprise,  the  whisky  promised  long  ago,  though  not,  thank 
goodness,  in  the  threatened  quantities. 

44  Wot  price  Mother  Barrett  ?"  he  enquired.  “ Fair  ole  bilious 
attack,  ain't  she  ? An'  yet  again  she  ain't.  Got  a good  'eart,  she 
"as,  though  selfish,  when  all's  said.  But  without  knowin'  it." 

44  I expect  you  get  a number  of  customers  like  that,  don't 
you  ?" 

“ Ah,"  said  he.  44  'Tain't  the  right  locality.  Give  me  the  East, 
the  genuine  East.  Not  but  what  the  South  ain't  bad,  'specially  near 
the  river.  Dirtier  ? Well,  that's  as  it  may  be.  Reckon  you  won't 
find  much  dirt  round  my  little  dug-out.  Fair  old  'ousemaid,  I'm 
becomin'.  That's  where  I'm  different  nor  what  I were.  But, 
Far-ther,  you  'xamine  them  respeckable  residences  round  about  with 
their  lil'  white  curtains  an'  lil'  bookays  o'  sham  flowers,  an'  I reckon 
you'll  find  'em  fair  greasy  with  the  dirt  as  is  in  'em.  Curtains  ? I 
'as  curtains,  as  you  can  see  fer  yerself;  but  nothin'  doin'  in  the 
curtain  line  if  I couldn't  afford  to  'ave  'em  washed.  An'  flowers  ? 
Give  me  a honest  marigold,  yes,  or  a carrot-top,  if  I carn't  'ave 
roses.  But  calico  ? Not  Frank  Newnes,  Esquire." 

I got  up  and  wandered  round  the  room.  It  was  almost  bare,  but 
certainly,  no  fal-lals.  I had  never  expected  this. 

I picked  up  a paper-covered  book  from  a low  cupboard,  but  he 
jumped  up  and  took  it  away  from  me. 

44  Not  for  you,"  said  he,  curtly,  and  threw  it  into  a corner. 

44  Not  but  what,"  he  continued,  44  Mrs.  Barrett  makes  it  homey 
for  me,  on  and  off,  by  'er  conversation.  Whitechapel,  she  come 
from,  and  in  'er  'eart  don't  take  kindly  to  the  West.  Bills  an'  Jacks 
and  'Erbs  is  'er  proper  list;  not  these  'ere  Claudies  an'  Cyrils  an' 
Basils  wot's  crawlin'  all  around  wiv  collars  an'  cuffs  this  beat.  If 
there  was  any  Claude  'er  way,  it  were  her  as  clawed  'im,"  said  he,  and 
since  his  peculiar  humour  didn't  mostly  run  to  puns,  I perceived 
he  was  forcing  himself  a little,  and  I tried  to  divert  him  into 
argument. 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


93 

“ I expect  all  the  curtains  and  Cuthberts  are  symbols,  if  you  see 
what  I mean,  of  their  wanting  something  better  l Something 
prettier — something  more  dignified  than  what  they've  got*” 

“ You  listen  to  me,”  said  he*  44  That's  all  right*  'Ope;  that's 
good*  Try;  that's  good,  too*  But  not  as  they  does*  Take  White- 
chapel* There's  lots  of  'ope  an'  tryin'  goin'  on  there*  Fine  it  is 
to  watch  it*  Courage  ? Believe  me * 'Opin'  they'll  get  through, 
spite  of  all*  Tryin'  to  keep  chin  above  the  black  water,”  said  he, 
looking  constantly  at  me  away  from  the  fire,  but  his  head  turning 
back  and  back  to  the  red  coals  where  he  saw  his  vision*  44  Try  they 
do  an'  'ope  they  do,  an'  strewth  if  it  ain't  enough  ter  make  a man 
believe  in  Gawd  to  see  'em*  But  they  don't  pretend*  Or  less*  Far 
less*  They  knows  wot  they  is,  an'  they  is  it;  sweatin',  strugglin', 
'opin',  tryin';  bein'  downed  an'  up  again;  and  'elpin'  an'  laughin'  an' 
no  airs ; but  brothers,  they  is,  an'  sisters,  an'  better  nor  brothers  an' 
sisters*” 

44  It's  good  to  hear  you  say  so;  but  why  can't  I say  the  same  for 
the  Westerns  ? They're  trying*  They've  succeeded  a bit;  but 
they're  trying  for  better  still*  You  can  never  catch  up  with  your 
hope,  Frank*  ♦ ♦ ♦” 

“True  for  you,”  said  he*  44  For  once  I agrees  with  you*  * ♦ *” 
His  wistful  eyes,  so  different  from  the  flashing  squirrel's  eyes  of  old 
days,  still  watched  the  splendid  glow*  “ You  never  can  catch  up* 
* * ♦ But  this  is  what's  the  matter  with  them.  They  ain't  tryin' 
because  they  want  to  be  summat,  if  you  takes  me,  but  because  they 
want  to  be  wot  the  other  ain't*  'Tain't  love  o'  the  better,  s'much  as 
despisin'  the  worse*  They  says: 4 Thank  Gawd  we  ain't  East  End  1 
Thank  Gawd  we's  Us  !'  An'  they  only  try  to  up  themselves  a bit  in 
order  to  be  one  ahead  of  the  next  man  as  is  down.  'Ate,  it  is;  not 
real  'ope*  Pride,  it  is,  an'  a beastly  stiflin'  brand  of  it,  not  self- 
respect*  Self-respects  themselves,  do  the  Whitechapelers,  an'  don't 
you  doubt  it*  Tries  to  do  the  little  bit  they  can;  an'  pals,  if  they 
succeeds,  with  them  as  didn't  succeed*  Do  hanythink  for  'em4 
But  West  ? Huh  ! 4 Keep  meself  to  meself,'  that's  their  motter. 
Keep  me  skirts  off  that  nasty  Mrs*  Brown*  Keep  me  bright  Cuth- 
bert  orf  Dirty  Dick — an'  I'll  tell  you,”  said  he,  44  wot  I saw  no 
further  off  nor  yesterday*  There's  a lady  wot  visits  down  'ere,  an' 
a good  'un  she  is,  every  time;  but  she  limps,  she  does,  like  me,  so 
I sympathizes*  Limps.  Very  well*  If 'arf  a dozen  of  them  damned 
Cuthberts  didn't  take  an'  limp  down  the  street  after  'er,  an'  talk  in 
a eddicated  voice  to  each  other  takin'  of  'er  off,  if  you  follow  me* 


94  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

Now  never  would  you  have  seen  that  in  Whitechapel,”  said  he. 
44  Whitechapel  way,  they  knows  wot's  wot.  An'  if  a angel  do  come 
down  their  street,  well,  they  recognizes  it.” 

44  Having  a dose  of  the  angelic  in  their  own  souls,”  said  I.  44  What 
did  you  do  when  you  saw  that  ?” 

44  Wot  I did  ? 'Ave  a little  war  on  me  own  ! that's  wot  I done. 
Knock  their  blarsted  'eads  together,  I did,  an'  more  nor  once.  And 
wot  I said  ? Never  you  ask  me,  Far-ther;  which  it  would  'ave 
made  a 'erring  blush.” 

44  That  would  have  looked  very  odd,”  I acknowledged.  44  Frank, 
what  a Christian  you  are,  after  all.” 

44  Huh  1”  cried  he,  sitting  up,  and  on  the  point  of  a violent  dis- 
claimer. Then  he  sank  together  again  into  his  chair  and  reached 
out  his  left  hand,  taking  mine  quite  in  the  old  way. 

He  continued  quickly,  still  not  looking  at  me. 

44  No,  I ain't  that.  Never  so  far  in  the  opposite  direction. 
Reckon,”  said  he, 44  you  ain't  goin'  to  catch  up  with  yer  'ope  neither.” 
Once  more  gravity  descended  on  to  his  features,  as  he  watched  the 
glow.  I said  nothing,  and  after  a while  he  resumed. 

44  I bin  into  that  old  church  of  yours  again,  more'n  once.  I 
reckon  it  was  offerin'  me  what  you  offers,  and  stronger  than  you  do* 
I've  'ad  to  own  up  to  this : your  religion's  a real  thing,  an'  I've  known 
it  all  along,  only  I'd  kid  meself  it  were  'umbug.  It  ain't  'umbug. 
Real  it  is,  an'  it  were  a real  offer  that  there  church  was  makin'  me. 
Talked,  that  church  did.  Or,  not  talked,  but  somethin'  queerer. 
Made  me  a genuine  offer,  anyways.  An'  it  come  thus.  'Twas  it, 
or  'twas  this  shop.  An'  this  I chose.  See  the  winders  of  this  old 
shop  flickerin'  through  that  there  church's  walls.  . . .” 

He  paused  again. 

On  the  dark  panes  the  firelight  put  faint  reflections,  and  through 
them  I could  just  see  the  arcading  opposite. 

44  For  my  part,  Frank,”  I said,  44  I can  feel  the  Cathedral  looking 
through  the  walls  even  of  your  shop.” 

He  sprang  up  nervously,  and  pulled  a red  curtain.  Then  he 
returned  to  his  old  position,  but  didn't  take  my  hand.  He  clasped 
his  own  together  so  hard  that  the  knuckles  glistened. 

44  It  isn't  the  Cathedral  or  the  shop,”  I said.  44  The  two  can  go 
together.” 

44  Not  for  me,”  he  said,  and  was  silent  again. 

44  Have  I ever  seen  such  a fight,”  I began  once  more, 44  as  between 
God  and  you  ! I don't  think  you  can  conquer.” 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


95 


44  Ah*  Let  me  alone*” 

44  How  can  I ? And,  anyway,  it  isn't  I*” 

44  When  wasn't  it  you  ? It  was  a year  of  you  in  'ospital,  an'  you 
ever  since*” 

44  I think  that  hospital  was  the  happiest  time  of  my  life*  And  the 
holiest*” 

44  That  so  ?” 

44  And  of  yours,  kid.” 

44  Well,  I won't  say  no.  But  you  can't  call  me  kid  no  more.  I'm 
a 'undred  year  older  since  then.” 

44  In  hospital  men  often  become  very  childlike*  Just  sub- 
mit* No  possibility  of  choosing,  as  far  as  outside  things  go, 
anyway.” 

44  Ah  ! I've  been  choosing  since  then,  sure  enough.  Fightin' 
even,  for  what  I wanted.” 

44  But  it  wasn't  only  happy  because  you  couldn't  choose  about 
outside  things.  You  could  do  a good  deal  inside  your  head*  Pain 
shrivels  up  such  a lot  of  secondary  things*  You  get — or  you  may 
get — just  a few  simple  big  things  left,  clear  of  cobwebs  and  illusions, 
God,  your  soul,  sin;  you  are  apt  to  judge  yourself,  judge  right,  and 
show  yourself  to  God.  And  then,  to  hope.  ♦ ♦ *” 

44  Men's  minds  is  weak  things,”  said  he.  44  Those  is  ideas  as 
flickers  through,  an'  not  so  strong  as  me  shop-window  through  the 
church*  For  they  flickers  out  in  the  daylight,  and  with  a bit  of 
health.  And  with  no  one  to  'elp  you  fix  'em.” 

44  Didn't  you  and  I fix  them  at  all  i” 

44  You  worried  me  some,”  he  said.  44  But  I wouldn't  let  on*” 

44  Have  they  really  disappeared  ?” 

44  Not  when  me  leg  'urts.” 

44  Does  it  much  ?” 

44  Times  it  does.  But  'ope  ? I've  got  me  'ope ! I've  got 
me  shop.  Wot  more  do  I want  ? Caught  'im  up,  old  'ope,  I 
'ave  !” 

44  Is  he  what  you'd  expected  ?” 

44  No — 'e  ain't*  Nothin's  that,  as  I told  you.  But  'e's  good 
enough.  Now  you  'earken.  Us  'ere  to-night*  Ain't  that  good 
enough  ?” 

I smiled  a little  ruefully,  but  he  didn't  notice. 

44  Well,  then,”  he  went  on.  44  And  is  it  same  as  we  expected  ? 
Sure  not.  Remember  me  tellin'  you  'ow  we  was  to  romp  round 
'Olloway,  me  king  of  the  district,  an'  knockin'  'em  all  with  the  sight 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


96 

of  you  ? Well,  an'  'ow  'ave  we  met  ? Inside  of  a Lockhart's.  In- 
side of  a church.  An'  settin'  'ere  together  in  the  dark,  an'  Frank 
Newnes  a shop-keeper.  Shop-boy  rather.  Doin'  it  all  'imself  and 
as  regular  as  a station  clock.  And  'avin'  chosen  it.  Gawd  A'mighty  ! 
Choosin'  it ! Old  afore  my  time,  by  years  an'  years.  Respeckable  ! 
Gawblimey  !" 

44  What  about  the  little  Irish  girl  we'd  talked  of  ?" 

44  Aw.  Marryin'.  N-a-o-w.  'Twouldn't  be  fair.  It's  a 
gamble,  this  'ere  shop  is,  when  all's  said;  and  I couldn't  bring  a 
wife  in." 

44  But  aren't  you  lonely  ? When  your  leg  hurts.  . . . ?" 

44  Lonely  I always  was,  in  a manner  o'  speakin',"  he  said. 
44  Different.  Even  in  me  bright-an'-merry  days.  Even  when  girls 
was  'undred  strong  around  me.  Never  a one  would  I 'ave  spliced 
meself  to,  nor  could  'ave.  Couldn't.  Nor  them  neither;  scared 
o'  me,  some'ow,  even  when  most  lovin'.  Quick  change,  therefore  ; 
new  one  each  week,  an'  never  kept  waitin'." 

44  Dear  old  boy.  I tell  you,  there's  only  one  thing  for  you  and 
never  has  been  but  one.  The  Infinite;  and  the  Eternal.  And  don't 
say  you  don't  understand.  You  very  well  do." 

44  Only  too  well  I know  what  you  mean,"  he  said,  scowling. 
44  Now  you  'earken.  Satisfied  I may  not  be;  'ow  should  I be  ? 
'Oo's  satisfied  ? But  that  ? N-a-o-w  ! An'  don't  you  go  thinkin' 
that  I'm  goin'  to  the  dogs,  'cos  I won't  'ave  that.  I 'as  me  will,  and 
by  me  will  I've  got  this  shop,  and  by  me  will  I'm  livin'  on  it,  an' 
livin'  straight.  Leastways,  straight  enough.  Girls  ? Huh  ! don't 

worry  me,  girls  don't.  I'm  through  with  them.  Not  but  what 

But  anyways,  through  with  them  I am,  to  show  you . Show  you  I 
will  that  I've  no  need  of  your  infinite  nor  yet  of  your  eternal,  as  you 
likes  to  put  it.  Your  old  Church,  it  'ad  somethin'  to  say  on  that 
subject,  and  it  made  me  the  offer.  I'd  be  lyin'  if  I said  it  didn't.  But 
I said  N-a-o-w” 

44  What  did  you  mean  when  you  said  4 straight  enough  ' ?" 

44  Wot  I've  just  told  you." 

44  Well,  aren't  you  in  other  ways  ?" 

44  Well — p'raps  you'd  say  not  about  one  or  two  of  the  wheezes 
as  I brought  off  in  connection  with  this  'ere  shop.  Raisin'  money 
in  one  or  two  little  ways  as  I'd  not  go  into  the  details  of.  Rumblin' 
this  'ere  furniture,  and  one  thing  an'  another.  Not  crook,  exactly, 
it  wasn't,  none  of  it.  But  a bit — well,  it'll  all  be  paid  back,  never 
you  fear." 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES  97 

44  Suppose — suppose  the  shop  went  bust  ? Sorry  for  even  sug- 
gesting it,  but  supposing  it  did  ?" 

44  Then  it's  good-bye  Mr,  Francis  Newnes,"  said  he,  looking  side- 
ways at  me, 44  for  time  bein'  at  all  events," 

44 1 think  it'll  have  to  be  good-bye,  anyhow,"  I said,  laughing,  and 
standing  up,  “ Mustn't  risk  my  train," 

44  Shall  I come  with  you  to  Paddington  ?"  he  asked,  without 
moving, 

44  Don't  you  worry.  It's  no  distance.  You  go  to  bed," 

I was  standing  behind  him,  and  had  my  hands  on  his  shoulders. 
He  put  up  his  own  hands  and  took  mine, 

44  I'm  thinkin'  of  our  last  day  on  the  river,"  he  said,  44  Why 
couldn't  we  'ave  stopped  there,  ever  and  ever  ?" 

44  Perhaps  some  day  you'll  come  back,  I wrote  to  you  that  old 
Sergeant's  there.  And  Jock's  grave's  there,  and  so's  he,  in  a sense. 
Only  poor  old  Hal's  the  other  side  of  the  world  ! But  he's  alive. 
He's  doing  good  work,  , ♦ ," 

“ Can't  go  back,"  said  he,  with  terrible  truth,  44  Never  is  no 
goin'  back,  'Twouldn't  be  that  me.  Don't  you  go  calling  me 
4 Corporal ' never  no  more.  Nor  yet  < kid,'  Better  keep  to  Frank* 
I reckon  I'm  Frank  still,  though  times  I don't  know  me  own  self 
proper.  But  the  Corp  you  used  to  come  an'  see  in  bed  ? No, 
That  ain't  me," 

44  Old  philosopher,"  I said,  44  You're  you,  anyway,  and  that's 
good  enough  for  me  a thousand  times  over," 

44  Army  !"  he  said,  vehemently,  44  The  war  ! I tell  you,  it  bites 
right  into  me  to  think  of  it,  I reckon  I've  gone  dippy;  but  I aches 
with — with  I dunno  wot,  when  I remembers  the  jokes  an'  the  'orrors, 
and  the  camps  an'  the  trenches  as  I thought  was  'ell,  'Ell  it  was, 
for  sure;  yet  I wish  I was  back.  Wot  a time  ! An'  wot  'ave  we 
made  of  it  ? Nothin'  1" 

44  Make  it,  Frank  ! You've  got  the  chance  this  minute.  Decide 
quick.  Go  on.  Choose,  Every  agony  of  the  war  was  worth  it, 
if  you  save  yourself  along  of  it,  ♦ , ," 

He  got  up  and  faced  round,  and  in  his  turn  put  his  hands  upon 
my  shoulders, 

44  If  it's  to  be,  it'll  be,"  said  he,  smiling  very  gently,  “ But  not 
now.  Can't,  Will  I some  day  ? 'Oo  knows.  But  for  now,  I 
can't,  I never  lies  to  you," 

His  smile  died  out,  I made  a little  cross  on  his  forehead  and  he 
accepted  it.  He  turned  back  very  abruptly  and  sat  down,  I went 

7 


98  MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

out,  but  looked  round,  at  the  door,  and  was  horror-struck  to 
see  him  crouching  there,  his  shoulders  shaking*  I didn't  dare 
return;  but  through  all  the  streets  to  the  railway,  and  on  the  vacant 
haggard  platform,  and  through  the  roar  of  the  headlong  journey 
homewards,  I couldn't  rid  myself  of  the  vision  of  the  sobbing  man; 
and  not  the  fathomless  black  sky  and  the  fields  drowned  in  darkness 
seemed  so  lonely  as  his  loneliness* 


Chapter  XI 

IN  the  early  summer  the  crisis  I had  foreseen  occurred*  Reggie 
Orwylstree  wrote  to  ask  if  he  could  call  in  one  night  after 
dinner,  and  when  he  came  I was  shocked  to  see  how  ill  he 
looked* 

44  D'you  mind/'  he  said,  almost  at  once, 44  if  we  come  right  away 
to  business  ? Matters  have  come  to  such  a point  that  I'm  nearly 
going  off  my  head*" 

“ It's  about  Barbara,  is  it  ?" 

44  Well,  it  is,  in  part*  You  know  I've  been  in  love  with  her  for 
years*  I asked  her  long  ago,  and  she  didn't  say  No,  and  I think 
she  wanted  to  say  Yes*  But  she  told  me  it  was  out  of  the  question 
for  her  to  think  about  marrying  as  long  as  her  father  needed  her  so 
much*  And  she  didn't  think  an  indefinite  engagement  was  fair* 
But  if  she'd  been  really  sure,  she  wouldn't  have  minded  that*  She 
wasn’t  sure,  I could  see,  and  in  a way  I didn't  mind,  because  I felt 
so  certain  it  would  work  out  all  right  if  only  I waited*  And  it  was 
absolutely  everything  for  me  to  have  something  like  that  to — well, 
to  wait  for,  and  occupy  me,  and  so  on*  Everything ♦" 

“ Well,  aren't  things  going  as  you'd  hoped  ?" 

44  Father,  I can't  help  seeing  she  isn't  any  surer*  In  fact,  I can't 
help  feeling  that,  if  anything,  she  doesn't  love  me  like — like  that* 
And  now  here's  where  I begin  to  feel  such  a brute*  I keep  thinking 
she's  really  in  love  with  Blake*  Mind  you,  I'm  not  sure  of  that, 
either*  But  a lot  of  little  things  make  me  think  so*  And,  of  course, 
I love  her  far  too  much  to  dream  of — of  not  wanting  her  to  go  where 
she  really  does  love;  though,  my  God,  it's  difficult  to  resign  one's 
self  to  it*  But  that's  not  nearly  the  worst*" 

He  got  up  and  leaned  on  the  mantelpiece  and  stared  into  the 
grate*  He  went  on  talking  without  looking  up* 

44  What's  so  awful  is  this*  I'm  definitely  sure  she  wouldn't  marry 
Blake,  or  anyone,  unless  he  was  a Catholic*  Now  I told  you  Blake 
positively  haunts  me  in  order  to  question  me  about  Catholicism* 

99 


100  MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

He's  always  at  it*  And  he's  learning  very  fast*  I think  he'll  be 
one*" 

“ I see*" 

“ But  do  you  see  ?"  he  cried,  wnh  the  harshness  of  real  suffering 
in  his  voice*  **  D'you  see  that  every  time  I help  him,  I'm  cutting 
my  own  throat  ? D'you  realize  that  whenever  I make  it  easier  for 
him  to  become  a Catholic,  I make  it  easier  for  her  to  marry  him  ? 
I'm  deliberately  ruining  my  whole  future  if  I do  my  duty,  and 
instruct  him*  D'you  see  that  ?" 

“ Yes,  Reggie*" 

44  At  times  I feel  as  if  I wished  I'd  never  become  a Catholic  if 
I'm  to  be  put  through  all  this*  Or  I feel  as  if  I wished  I'd  never 
met  you  ; because  you  know  what  a rickety  sort  of  Catholic  I was  at 
first,  and  how  I slacked  off  after  the  first  plunge,  and  never  studied 
it  up  or  anything*  And  then  I met  you  and  you  put  me  through  a 
lot  of  reading  and  made  me  carry  on  thinking  and  pulling  myself 
together  generally*  And  here  am  I,  having  to  use  what  you  taught 
me  in  order  to  teach  him  ; I try  to  copy  that  method*  And  it  works, 
my  God  ! If  only  it  didn*t  work  ! If  only  he  was  a rotter  ! But 
he's  evidently  sincere*  He  hates  it,  but  he  prays*  He's  going 
through  a little  hell,  too*  But  with  what  a prize  at  the  end  of  it  I 
Everything  together*  The  best  of  both  worlds*  And  what's  left 
for  me  ? A heavenly  crown,  I suppose,"  he  said,  bitterly*  44  At 
times  I hate  Blake*" 

44  You  must  have  been  very  loyal  in  the  past,  Reggie,"  I said,  “ if 
God  is  asking  you  to  become  so  like  Our  Lord*  There  was  nothing 
He  didn't  have  to  sacrifice  for  the  sake  of  our  salvation*  He  knew 
that  if  He  preached,  He'd  be  heading  straight  for  death*  If  He 
raised  Lazarus,  He  knew  He'd  be  finally  signing  His  own  death 
warrant*  But  He  always  4 set  His  face  steadfastly  towards  Jerusa- 
lem*' He  had  a cup  to  drink,  and  He  felt  4 straitened,'  ill  at  ease, 
restless , if  I dare  say  so,  till  He  had  drunk  it  up*  It  was  an  awful 
cup : 4 If  it  be  possible,  let  this  chalice  pass  from  Me*'  And  He 
sweated  blood  in  His  agony*  But  He  said  to  His  friends, 4 Can  you 
drink  My  cup  ?'  They  said  4 Yes,'  and  He  took  them  at  their  word* 
Or  perhaps  not  quite  ! The  bitterest  of  the  gall  He  kept  for 
Himself*" 

44  I know  it's  a wrong  idea,"  he  said,  miserably,  44  but  I keep 
saying  to  myself,  4 Well,  He  was  God*  He  was  all  right,  anyway* 
Nothing  could  happen  to  Him  in  the  long  run.'  But  I'm  just  a man* 
At  times  it's  pretty  awful  to  be  a man  at  all*  * * ." 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  ioi 

44  It's  because  you're  a man  that  He  became  a man — a real  man* 
Really  man*  Not  pretending*  Not  just  a disguise*  The  real 
thing  all  through*  ♦ ♦ *" 

4'  He  didn't  have  to  do  this,  exactly*" 

44  His  heart  was  worse  broken*  ♦ * ♦" 

44  He  seems  to  ask  for  everything*" 

44  He  gave  everything  first,  Reggie*  Be  heroic,  it's  a chance  that 
mayn't  come  twice*  Do  the  right  thing*  Christ  asks  you  to  help 
Blake  to  the  Faith*  To  salvation*  Think  of  that  only*  Don't 
think  of  consequences*  Do  Our  Lord  that  service*" 

44  But — oh,  I can't  explain  1 It  makes  me  feel  sick * I loathe  the 
whole  idea,  if  you  see  what  I mean*  How  could  I put  heart  into  it  ? 
How  could  I go  on  arguing,  explaining,  trying  to  do  it  well  when  I 
knew  that  the  better  I did  it  the  more  I was  committing  a sort  of 
murder  on  my  own  life  for  ever  and  ever  ?" 

44  I know*  Don't  imagine — Reggie,  please  don't  imagine — that 
because  I'm  a priest,  and  this  problem  exactly  can  never  trouble 
me,  that  I don't  understand*  It's  not  easy  for  me  to  suggest  the 
heroic  way  to  you*  In  a way  it's  harder,  because  I feel  I sit  comfort- 
able here  and  am  advising  such  a thing  to  you*" 

44  Yes,  yes;  I know  you're  all  right*  You'd  have  to  say  what 
you're  saying,  anyhow*" 

44  Listen*  I'm  sure  you'll  remember  Jock,  the  Scotch  lad  I took 
you  to  see  that  time  when  you  came  to  the  hospital  with  me*  You 
know,  he  went  through  an  agony  of  his  own*  You  know  he  was 
simply  living  for  his  girl,  and  she  chucked  him  for  an  Australian, 
and  the  Australian  came  to  that  very  ward*  And  not  only  he  never 
let  him  guess,  but  he  made  himself  especially  friendly  to  the  Austra- 
lian, and  he  went  through  a perfectly  frightful  crisis  of  despair  before 
he  died*  It  was  a sublime  heroism*  He's  a hero,  and  with  the 
Saints,  I'm  sure*  Ask  him  to  help  you*  Yes,  if  you'd  seen  him 
before  he  died,  desperate  and  dying  without  having  really  tasted 
life  * * * having  sacrificed  everything  for  nothing  * * ♦" 

44  Yes,  but  don't  you  see  l He  was  dying*  He  couldn't  have  got 
anything  more,  anyhow * But  I've  got  to  live*  I've  got  to  empty 
out  my  whole  future*  And  how  can  I do  it  ? How  can  I possibly 
live  as  I should  when  the  one  good  thing  in  life  is  denied  me;  when 
I deny  it  to  myself  ? It'll  be  awful  for  me  not  to  be  able  to  marry 
and  live  as  I want  to*  I'm  not  strong  enough;  I'm  not  really*  How 
can  I get  along  without  any  satisfaction,  without  hope  even  ? Even 
if  she  chucked  me,  it  would  be  tolerable*  I'd  leave  her  free  to; 


102  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

I'd  respect  her.  But  it's  so  wanton  ! I have  equivalently  to  chuck 
her,  and  see  her  with  him,  and — when  all  the  while  Fd  fetch  and 
carry  for  her  on  my  hands  and  knees,  if  only  I could  be  with  her. 
It's  asking  too  much." 

4 4 Listen;  we  must  be  careful.  It's  not  certain,  yet,  that  she  wants 
to  marry  you.  Nor  that  she'd  marry  Blake,  Catholic  or  not.  And 
suppose  you  dropped  him,  and  suppose  he  didn't  become  a Catholic, 
and  that  she  would  have  married  him  if  he  had,  but  agreed  to  marry 
you  because  he  didn't — well,  you  couldn't  have  put  up  with  second- 
hand love.  And,  put  it  at  the  worst — if  it  is  the  worst ! Suppose 
he  becomes  a Catholic  and  she  marries  him — well,  you've  offered 
your  supreme  sacrifice  and  you  suffer.  But  it  is  the  difference 
between  time  and  Eternity.  You've  done  a thing  which'll  increase 
your  union  with  God  and  Our  Lord,  since  you  obviously  do  it  for 
their  sakes  only — no  selfishness  can  come  in;  and  you'll  win  for  her 
— oh,  anything  you  like  to  ask,  I should  think  ! And  what  won't 
you  have  done  for  him . So  your  eternal  union  will  be  incomparably 
more  intimate  with  her  than  ever  your  marriage  could  bring  about." 

He  sighed  very  heavily. 

44  Oh,  well,"  said  he,  44  I'll  do  it.  I never  meant  not  to,  you 
know.  Still — it  is  my  life  that's  at  stake." 

44  I know,"  I said.  44  And  you'll  have  given  your  life  for  your 
friend." 

44  I can't  honestly  call  Blake  my  friend." 

44  I didn't  mean  Blake,"  I said. 

He  turned  round  and  looked  hard  at  me  under  his  level  brows. 
Then  he  turned  abruptly  back. 

44  I'll  tell  you  what  I'd  like,"  I went  on.  44  In  three  weeks  I'll 
be  giving  a Retreat  at  Hayland.  Come  and  make  it.  And  bring 
Blake." 

He  sighed  and  said,  44  All  right,"  and  then  went  away. 

* * * * * 

The  weeks  flashed  by,  and  the  three  of  us  found  ourselves  in  the 
train  for  Hayland.  It  was  all  rather  strained,  I thought;  conversa- 
tion was  difficult.  Reggie  had  never  made  a retreat  before,  and,  of 
course,  Blake  hadn't;  they  were  both  rather  strung  up  and  doubtful 
what  they  were  in  for. 

Hayland  hasn't  much  of  the  rich  fields  left  from  which  it  got,  I 
suppose,  its  name.  It  is  a manufacturing  town,  and  very  opulent 
and  self-satisfied,  except  in  the  places  you  don't  see,  where  the 
houses  tumble  down  and  crush  people,  perhaps  just  when  the  money- 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  103 

kings  are  dining  in  hotels  not  five  hundred  yards  away*  But  the 
retreat  house  lay  well  outside  the  town;  you  taxied  first  through 
districts  most  desolate  and  grey;  endless  grey  houses,  where  flam- 
boyant posters  put  the  only  colour,  and  where  the  open  spaces  were 
the  play-yards  of  poor-schools,  vast  sheets  of  asphalt,  with  iron 
railings  round  them,  innumerable  rods  riveted  into  the  low  brick 
walls*  You  came  at  last  to  a square,  graced  by  the  statue  of  some 
philanthropist,  a clock  and  a drinking  fountain,  and  then  the  suburbs 
began,  red  brick  and  yellowish  stone  and  shining  encaustic  tiles* 
Clipped  holly  hedges  surrounded  feudal  castles,  complete  (you  felt 
sure)  with  loop-holes  and  portcullis,  built  seventy  years  ago  by  some 
potentate,  since  gone  bankrupt;  massive  gates  with  wrought  iron 
lamps  above  them  opened  on  to  rolled  gravel  drives,  hedged  again 
with  laurustinus,  rhododendrons,  and  more  holly;  you  caught 
glimpses  of  the  turreted  garage,  or  lawns,  with  their  monkey-puzzle 
trees  and  geranium  beds*  ♦ ♦ ♦ These,  too,  we  passed,  and  at  last 
the  real  country  came,  beyond  where  the  trams  stopped;  and  we 
had  been  fortunate  to  acquire  a great  farm,  very  old,  with  wide 
fields  round  it,  adjoining  the  ground  of  a little  Catholic  church 
which  served  that  neighbourhood* 

We  disembarked,  and  forgot  everything  else  in  the  business  of 
arrival;  the  great  living-room  already  had  some  half-dozen  men  in 
it,  smoking,  rather  shy  at  first,  but  cheery  and  glad  to  meet  us* 
From  then  till  six,  other  men  kept  dropping  in — chiefly  miners,  and 
men  employed  in  small  businesses,  and  clerks;  one  or  two  successful 
persons;  a policeman,  a music-hall  artist,  and  a publican*  But  at 
four  we  began  with  a generous  tea;  bread  and  margarine,  and  two 
enormous  cakes,  baked  on  the  premises,  very  plain,  but  hot*  Tea 
unloosed  their  tongues,  and  friendliness,  at  the  end,  was  well  in- 
augurated* 

After  a cigarette  we  went  up  to  the  attic  which  had  been  turned 
into  the  chapel,  though  the  Blessed  Sacrament  was  not  yet  there* 
Then  I explained  what  the  retreat  was  meant  to  be* 

I told  them  the  story  I had  long  ago  told  to  the  Corporal,  about 
Tomlinson,  the  man  who  came  to  nothing,  who  never  thought  his 
own  thoughts,  who  made  no  choices  of  his  own,  but  drifted,  and 
ended  nowhere*  Impossible  that  we  should  consent  to  sink  so  low* 
Yet  life  is  an  effort,  and  we  get  tired*  It  is  fatally  easy  to  accept, 
merely,  the  ideas  of  others,  the  conventional  view;  to  let  oneself  be 
pushed  about  by  circumstances,  never  to  master  one's  life;  to  be  no 
true  self , in  thought  or  will*  Nearly  all  these  men  had  been  through 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


104 

the  war;  that,  in  itself,  had  made  personal  thought  so  hard;  had  made 
effort,  now  that  the  army's  pressure  was  removed,  often  impossible* 
And  since  the  war,  what  national  chaos  ! In  consequence,  what 
despondency  1 How  little  principle,  how  much  sheer  search  for 
the  momentary  pleasure  which  should  compensate  for  the  day's 
drudgery,  and  cheat  a future  which  might  be  disastrous  and 
was,  anyhow,  so  uncertain*  * * . The  retreat  was  to  evoke 
thoughts — real  thoughts,  true  personal  convictions,  and  put  them 
in  due  order;  and  was  to  brace  the  will — to  build  up  the  whole 
personality* 

Then  I explained  very  briefly  the  supreme  importance  of  silence, 
and  then  said  we  would  go  to  the  church  and  bring  back  the  Blessed 
Sacrament* 

The  men  lined  up  outside,  taking  with  them  a cross  and  the  two 
candles*  Reciting  the  joyous  mysteries  of  the  Rosary,  we  went  to 
the  little  church,  sang  the  O Salutaris , and  returned*  As  we  walked, 
we  sang  the  hymns  Sweet  Sacrament , and  Jesus,  My  Lord ; the 
evening  wa s warm  and  still;  the  sun,  not  setting  yet,  was  more 
golden  and  more  mellow  than  in  the  afternoon,  and  all  the  peace  of 
an  evening  in  early  June  was  round  about  us*  Incomparably  sweet 
were  those  brief  processions  through  the  field  and  gardens;  the  most 
simple  faith  breathed  in  them;  all  the  men  knew  that  a Presence  had 
come  to  the  house  that  was  not  there  before,  and  that  they  had  been 
its  escort*  Several  spontaneously  stayed  in  the  Chapel  to  adore  its 
Occupant;  the  rest  went  out  to  the  garden  to  smoke,  or  I showed 
them  where  their  rooms  were*  There  were  six  single  rooms,  in- 
cluding mine;  the  others  slept  in  two  rooms  which  had  been  arranged 
as  dormitories. 

At  half-past  six  they  returned  to  the  chapel  and  had  their  first  real 
44  meditation,"  upon  man  and  God,  and  the  why  of  man's  creation* 
They  isolated  themselves;  they  were  each  a lonely  self;  neighbours 
were  forgotten*  And  God  was  recalled  to  them;  Infinite  Spirit  and 
Eternal;  yet  intimately  present;  alone  truly  present,  now,  to  each* 
And  He  had  made  them*  Why  ? Made  them,  and  was  preserving 
them.  Had  preserved  them  till  the  war,  and  through  it*  They  had 
not  fallen.  And  had  placed  them  among  a chosen  few,  the  chosen 
minority  of  Catholics  in  this  land;  and  from  among  Catholics,  had 
called  them  out  into  this  strange  week-end;  out  of  the  hundreds  of 
thousands  in  that  city,  they  were  the  only  men — perhaps  some,  out 
of  their  town  or  village,  were  each  the  one  man — to  be  thus  in 
retreat*  And  why  ? We  refused,  for  the  time  being,  to  answer  the 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  105 

question,  and  they  remained  kneeling  in  the  twilight  chapel,  con- 
fronting that  terrific,  probing  mystery*  * * * 

I found  Blake,  and  asked  him  if  he  were  all  right*  He  looked 
rather  dazed,  but  answered  0 Yes*”  In  a few  minutes  the  bell  rang 
for  supper* 

It  consisted  of  mutton-pie,  rice  pudding,  and  jam,  bread  and 
margarine,  and  tea*  Simple  enough,  but  the  food  was  cleanly 
served,  and  the  table  gay  with  flowers*  I insisted  on  that;  it  cheered 
the  men,  and  made  them  think  better  of  themselves*  During  supper, 
a miner  from  Staffordshire  read  from  a book  about  the  history  of 
retreats,  especially  in  this  country*  He  read  with  immense  energy 
and  conviction,  with  a sturdy  Cannock  voice,  and  loved  the  job* 

After  that  there  was  a half-hour's  recreation,  and  I selected  and 
coached  my  staff  for  Benediction*  The  policeman  and  the  publican 
were  altar-boys,  and  I gave  the  incense  to  the  plutocrat  manager  of 
some  immense  linoleum  works  near  by*  (He  did  it  very  badly,  I 
may  say,  and  was  much  chaffed  next  day  by  the  miners,  who  knew 
their  ceremonies  backwards*)  So  at  8*45  we  returned  to  the  chapel; 
Reggie  played  the  harmonium,  and  the  Staffordshire  men  sang  with 
the  real  beauty  and  force  I always  expected  from  them*  Imme- 
diately after  Benediction  the  answer  to  the  44  Why  ?”  was  given;  the 
old-fashioned  answer:  God  has  done  all  this  that  we  might  save  our 
souls*  Not  waste  them*  Become  the  reverse  of  Tomlinson; 
become  the  complete  man,  natural  and  supernatural,  God  wants  us 
to  be*  And  because  in  the  tiny  week-end  retreats,  which  were  all 
that  these  men  could  afford — and  even  that  meant  sacrifice — we  had 
to  hasten,  we  at  once  mentioned  Death,  not  as  a melancholy  and 
depressing  topic,  not  as  a finish  to  existence,  but  as  exhilarating,  a 
stimulus,  a reminder  that  this  great  enterprise  of  salvation  had  its 
time-limit*  Now  was  an  interspace,  a break  in  the  midst  of  our 
years,  so  that  if  life  so  far  had  been  squandered,  if  I have  risked  losing 
myself,  I may  quickly  recover,  and  start  succeeding*  * * * And  the 
vision  of  their  own  lives  was  summoned  to  their  memories ; they  saw 
themselves  children,  boys;  making  their  first  communion,  offered 
by  their  mothers  to  Our  Lady,  consecrated  to  Mary,  never  forgotten 
by  her,  prayed  for  by  her  at  that 44  now  ” which  is  each  moment  of 
our  lives*  * * * It  was  here,  I always  noticed,  that  the  men  first 
really  sank  into  their  retreats;  they  still  sat  motionless,  eyes  riveted 
on  the  speaker,  missing  not  one  word,  but  the  consciousness  of 
attending,  the  explicit  resolve  to  be  doing  the  thing  well,  had  relaxed; 
all  went  on  naturally,  and  minds  flowed  spontaneously  in  the  channels 


106  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

of  these  old  thoughts  which  life  had  weakened  perhaps  and  dimmed, 
but  now  revived — powerful,  compelling,  and  yet  peaceful*  They 
felt  themselves  still  they,  still  the  children  they  had  forgotten  they 
ever  could  have  been;  still  with  Jesus  loving  them,  and  with  their 
Mother.  So,  after  the  De  Profundis  for  the  souls  suffering  in  Purga- 
tory, and  their  own  night  prayers,  they  went  slowly  up  to  bed. 

The  house  became  quiet  and  dark,  though  the  windows  still  held 
the  amethyst  June  twilight,  and  from  the  wide,  fragrant  country 
floated  the  scents  and  gentle  sounds  of  evening;  distant  cries,  the 
voice  of  a child,  of  a song,  came  too;  transformed,  etherealized,  not 
injuring  the  great  tranquillity. 

In  twenty  minutes  I looked  into  the  dormitories  to  say  good- 
night. I asked  new-comers  if  they  were  liking  it;  they  grinned  up 
at  me  from  their  pillows,  honest  faces,  towselled  mops  of  hair,  great 
children  lying  there,  to  be  put  to  bed,  and  tucked  up  and  blessed. 
They  were  all  happy. 

I went  then  to  the  single  rooms,  where  I had  put  men  with  whom  I 
thought  I'd  value  the  last  few  minutes  of  each  day  alone.  Not  yet 
were  they  quite  at  ease;  the  morrow  had  its  apprehensiveness;  con- 
fession still  awaited  them;  but  they  felt,  I guessed,  that  everything 
would  be  well,  that  the  effort  would  not  be  cruel.  Then  I went  to 
Reggie.  He  was  still  sitting  at  his  window,  letting  the  night  air 
bathe  his  thoughts,  and  the  silence  speak  to  them. 

44  Better  turn  in,  Reggie,”  I said. 

He  looked  at  me  without  speaking,  and  in  that  thin  light  the 
shadows  under  his  eyes  were  very  dark. 

“ It's  going  all  right,  isn't  it  ?” 

He  smiled  half  ruefully. 

44  It  doesn't  give  a man  a chance,”  he  said. 

I was  too  awestruck  at  the  thought  of  what  God  was  working  in 
his  soul,  to  talk  much.  I asked  him  to  say  some  prayers  for  me, 
so  that  I shouldn't  do  anything  wrong  in  the  course  of  the  retreat. 
He  got  up,  smiled,  and  began  to  undress.  So  I went  on,  at  once, 
to  Blake. 

He  was  sitting  on  his  bed,  half  undressed.  I perched  myself  on 
the  end  of  it. 

44  Well,  Geoffrey,”  I said,  44  who'd  have  supposed,  when  we 
originally  met,  that  ten  months  later  I'd  be  sitting  on  your  bed — 
respectfully  telling  you  to  shut  your  eyes  and  go  to  sleep  like  a good 
boy  ?” 

44  I'm  not  a bit  sleepy,”  he  said,  with  a grin. 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


107 

44  Well,  you  ought  to  be.  You've  got  to  sleep  eight  hours  solid. 
But  tell  me  first  if  you're  feeling  pretty  comfortable." 

“ First-rate,"  he  said,  briskly.  44  Enjoying  it  no  end.  Got  the 
wind  down,  anyway.  I tell  you  I had  it  properly  up  when  we 
arrived." 

44  How  d'you  like  the  men  ?" 

44  Gorgeous  chaps,  aren't  they  ! By  Jove,  what  one  loses,  only 
knowing  one  sort  of  man.  You  saw  what  fine  fellows  they  were  in 
the  army,  even,  but  as  an  officer  you  couldn't  really  get  at  'em.  Nor 
in  my  present  job,  of  course." 

44  You  got  on  all  right  at  recreation  ?" 

44  Absolutely.  No  difficulty  whatever.  Palled  up  at  once.  I 
couldn't  have  believed  it  of  myself.  But  they  took  me  naturally,  and 
so  I took  them  naturally.  How's  it  done  ? I believe  this  is  abso- 
lutely the  only  place  in  England  where  it  could  happen." 

44  Oh,  there  are  other  retreat  houses  besides  this  one." 

44  Well,  only  in  retreat  houses,  then." 

44  I daresay.  And  d'you  like  the  retreat  itself  ?" 

44  I'm  not  properly  in  it,  of  course,  yet.  But  I say,  it's  a terror  for 
forcing  one  to  look  facts  in  the  face  ! Why  am  I here  ? What's 
life  for  ? By  Jove,  I'd  never  thought  of  it  before.  I've  been  a perfect 
kid  in  life  l Hopping  round,  enjoying  it,  grousing,  thinking  I was 
a man  of  the  world — but,  well,  as  I say,  I'm  a perfect  kid.  It  ought 
to  last  for  a week,  though,  this  sort  of  thing.  I shall  only  just  be 
getting  into  it  when  it's  time  to  leave." 

44  I know;  it's  a pity.  But  the  men  can't  help  themselves." 

44  You  know.  I'm  not  really  into  it  yet ! I feel  as  if  it  was  all  going 
on  around  me — I'm  looking  at  it — I agree  to  all  of  it — but  I'm  not 
living  it  exactly.  . . ." 

44  I think  you  will,  to-morrow.  But  I also  think  you  must  look 
forward  to  making  your  first  real  Catholic  retreat  some  day.  You 
know,  you  want  the  Sacraments.  . . ." 

44  Well,  padre,  I expect  you're  right.  Orwylstree's  been  telling 
me  a good  bit  about  'em.  I see  their  point.  And  look  here,  padre  !" 

44  Well  ?" 

44  How  about — well,  confession  ? Can  you  hear  mine  ?" 

44  I can't  give  you  sacramental  absolution  yet,  old  boy.  But  we 
can  talk  about  what  you  like." 

44  Well,  look  here.  Could  I make  a sort  of  informal  one  to- 
morrow ? Get  a lot  off  my  chest  unofficially,  so  to  say  ? And  get 
some  advice  ?" 


io8  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  It  might  be  quite  a good  thing,  if  you  like/'  I answered. 

44  Then  that's  that/'  he  said,  satisfied.  “ I wanted  to  ask  that." 

I smacked  his  head  gently,  made  a little  cross  on  his  forehead,  and 
went.  ♦ . . 

Next  day.  Mass,  and  then  breakfast.  Breakfast  was  porridge  and 
bacon,  and  the  Staffordshireman  finished  reading  about  retreats, 
war-time  retreats  this  time.  About  ten,  the  hard  work  began. 
This  meditation  was  on  sin;  always  pursuing  our  ideal  of  building  up, 
sin  was  represented  as  destructive,  as  crippling,  as  defiance  of  the 
whole  law  of  life,  mercifully  revealed  by  God  to  us  in  conscience, 
and  through  His  Church,  for  our  success.  ♦ ♦ ♦ After  the  talk,  and 
the  few  minutes'  quiet  thought  upon  it,  I entrusted  the  men  to  the 
plutocrat  and  made  him  take  them,  saying  the  Sorrowful  Mys- 
teries, to  a statue  of  Calvary  in  the  garden.  Then  they  separated, 
and  walked  or  read.  Meanwhile,  their  visits  began;  they  sat  and 
smoked  and  talked,  one  by  one,  and  as  usual  I felt  that  never  in  my 
life  should  I be  able  to  admire  enough  the  amazing  force  of  the  lived 
Catholicism,  the  sturdy  growth  pushing  itself  up  in  souls  distracted 
by  Heaven  knows  what  complications  of  our  modern  life  1 The 
frightful  entanglements  of  business;  how  to  be  honest  and  succeed  ? 
How  cope  with  rivals,  how  make  a prosperous  home;  how  associate 
almost,  with  your  fellows  in  the  trade,  or  the  firm,  and  not  violate 
Catholic  justice  and  truth  ? Yet  they  put  up  the  fight;  yet  was  the 
unseen,  unadvertised,  unexhilarating  sacrifice  of  sheer  money,  for 
the  sake  of  righteousness,  going  forward  bravely  in  that  smoky, 
sweating  town.  And  in  family  life,  what  secret  heroisms  ! What 
obedience  to  the  Catholic  law  of  marriage;  what  self-control;  what 
renunciation  of  little  social  glories,  little  haloes  of  this  school  or  that 
to  v/hich  children  were  not  sent,  because  their  faith  would  be 
endangered.  Trivial  glories  ? Tinsel  haloes  ? Perhaps.  But  it 
needed  a strong  will  to  keep  the  mind's  eye  clear  for  realizing  that ! 
So  to  retreat  they  came,  to  purify  the  sight,  to  give  the  will  its  tonic. 
And  the  men  from  the  pits,  fighters  mostly,  tempted  to  be  drinkers 
— clean-lived,  they  mostly  were.  And  one  but  lately  from  the  navy, 
where  chaplains  were  hard  to  come  by  and  Catholics  were  more 
than  usually  isolated,  and  when  spells  on  shore  meant,  for  most, 
only  two  sources  of  enjoyment.  What  fights  for  their  chastity  ! 
What  dogged  tolerance  of  ridicule  ! What  good-will  to  be  lonely ! 
One  or  two  were  despondent;  the  struggle  had  been  too  hard,  or 
seemed  likely  to  become  so ; others  had  failed,  and  found  the  work  of 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  109 

the  retrieving  of  their  innocence  appalling;  others,  again  and  again, 
were  thrown,  and  mauled  and  half-slaughtered  (they  would  feel) 
by  sin*  One  by  one  they  came,  and  left  after  their  talk  refreshed, 
the  load  removed,  ready  for  God's  own  healing  Absolution* 

But  there  was  another  meditation  before  dinner*  And  since  we 
had  promised  ourselves  to  leave  no  fact  unlooked  at , we  thought 
first  of  the  eternal  consequence,  possible  for  all  of  us,  of  sin;  not 
merely  misery  and  disease,  but  hell,  and  the  self  become  waste- 
product,  due  for  the  refuse  heap*  But  at  once  I related  to  the  men 
Our  Lord's  story  of  the  prodigal,  and,  as  always,  it  was  here  their 
faces  showed,  not  only  that  the  retreat  had  invaded  and  possessed 
them,  but  that  it  was  picking  them  up,  building  them  up,  putting 
them  on  their  feet  and  setting  them  to  walk  over  a road  however 
rough  towards  the  Fatherhood  of  God* 

Dinner,  which  was  solid  and  helped  out  by  a dish  that  looked  like 
tipsy  cake,  but  wasn't ; and  cider  to  assist  digestion*  The  reading 
was  the  children's  book  of  stories  about  Our  Lord,  which  I long 
ago  lent  to  the  Sergeant*  Then  recreation*  Blake  found  himself 
playing  stump  cricket  with  the  miners;  the  plutocrat  himself  took 
a hand,  but  was  no  better  as  batsman  than  as  thurifer*  The  music- 
hall  artist,  a man  of  a profoundly  doleful  countenance,  which  he 
altered  suddenly,  at  long  intervals,  into  a singularly  charming  smile, 
did  solemn  tricks  with  coins  and  bits  of  string,  and  ended  by  tying 
himself  up  in  a quite  alarming  knot,  for  he  was  also  a contortionist* 
But,  on  the  whole,  the  men's  week  of  work  had  tired  them;  they 
liked  to  lie  flat — for  the  day  was  glorious — and  watch  the  wide  sky, 
and  smell  the  grass*  The  only  real  incident  was  caused  by  a certain 
wild  young  miner,  called  Mick  Brophy,  mounting  an  aged  horse 
which,  you'd  have  thought,  not  Etna  in  eruption  could  have  scared 
into  activity,  but  which  abruptly  woke  up,  careered  frantically  round 
the  field,  and  deposited  the  exultant  youth  into  a hawthorn  hedge* 
They  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  picking  the  thorns  out* 

Geoffrey  Blake  and  I wandered  off  to  a stile,  and  we,  too,  watched 
the  butterflies  and  flowers,  and  absorbed  the  country*  He  related 
his  life,  but,  I kept  feeling,  almost  more  as  a history  told  for  the  first 
time,  more  as  something  not  himself  he  was  handing  over,  than  in 
the  way  I wanted,  and  he  needed*  Similarly,  I felt  he  was  getting 
the  retreat  itself  as  an  interesting  outside  thing,  on  the  whole,  and 
contemplating  even  his  own  conversion  as  a new  thing  he  might 
possibly  do  rather  than  as  a new  thing  he'd  be * 

So  I told  him  I'd  explain  the  topic  we'd  been  speaking  of,  during 


IXO 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


the  next  afternoon  talk;  and  I resolved  to  be  bold,  and  tell  him  that 
night  what,  after  all,  he  could  so  easily  have  guessed  for  himself, 
what  Reggie  was  really  doing,  from  sheer  love  of  God,  when  he 
seemed  to  be  just  instructing  him.  I knew  Reggie  would  trust  me. 

We  had,  therefore,  our  afternoon  conference  out  of  doors,  sitting 
round  the  Calvary.  Never,  one  would  think,  can  a man  hear  some 
subjects,  that  so  poignantly  concern  him,  discussed,  save  in  a tainted 
atmosphere,  and  amid  what  are  blasphemies,  in  truth,  of  God's 
great  laws  of  life.  They  emerged,  always,  from  that  conference, 
joyous,  expansive,  difficult  to  control;  and  I let  them  talk  at  tea. 

After  the  Glorious  Mysteries  of  the  Rosary  we  had  the  evening 
talk.  It  lasted  long,  and  was  about  Our  Lord,  His  Humanity,  His 
intimacy  of  friendship,  and  yet  His  Kingship,  His  Kingdom,  and  the 
Crusade  of  that  Kingdom  against  sin  and  all  evil.  What  though  the 
Crusade  meant  humiliation,  often  enough;  suffering,  possibly  even 
death  ? He  had  borne  it  first;  He  asked  nothing  save  what  He  had 
given;  He  had  had  His  Passion;  He  had  died.  Christ's  Christians 
would  not  shirk  that,  they  would  ask  for  it.  ♦ ♦ ♦ 

At  once,  after  this  meditation,  the  Blessed  Sacrament  was  exposed. 
The  men,  in  couples,  made  a Guard  of  Honour,  and  each  couple 
watched  before  it  in  silence  for  a quarter  of  an  hour.  Many  had 
doubted  whether  they  could  occupy  themselves  for  such  a space; 
none  found  it  difficult;  many  outstayed  their  watch.  Reggie,  when 
once  or  twice  I looked  in,  seemed  always  there.  In  that  time,  heart 
spoke  to  Heart;  Christian  to  Christ;  soldier  to  Captain;  friend  to 
Friend.  But  what  they  said  was  wordless,  and  rarely  would  a man 
speak  afterwards  of  what  had  been  done,  nor  would  I ask. 

At  supper  the  story  of  the  Passion  was  read ; and  after  Benediction 
a short  final  meditation  was  given,  chiefly  on  the  Sacraments,  and  on 
tlie  duties  of  a Catholic  life,  especially  to  one's  fellowmen;  and 
resolutions — very  brief,  but  powerful — were  outlined. 

Such  men  as  had  not  yet  made  their  general  confessions,  made  them 
after  that,  and  soon  the  house,  once  more,  sank  into  quietness. 

Reggie  was  again  at  his  window.  He  turned  round  when  I came 
in,  moved  a step  forward,  and  took  both  my  hands. 

44  It'll  be  all  right,"  he  said.  Then  he  said:  44  Give  me  your 
blessing." 

I blessed  him  and  he  nodded,  and  turned  back  to  the  window. 

I went  to  Blake. 

44  Hullo,"  he  said,  “ come  and  sit  down." 

I established  myself  on  the  edge  of  his  bed. 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


hi 


44  Well,  how  goes  it  ?" 

44  Fine,  thanks  1 And  I can't  tell  you  how  grateful  I am  to  you 
for  fetching  me  along  here/' 

44  You  really  liked  it  ?" 

44  Oh,  it's  a great  experience.  Everyone  ought  to  be  put  through 
it.  Wish  it  lasted  a week.  I promise  you  I will  come  again  when 
I'm  a full-fledged  Catholic." 

44  D'you  think  you've  made  up  your  mind  to  be  one,  then  ?" 

44  Well — yes,"  he  said,  a little  more  soberly.  44  It  seems  to  me 
incontrovertible.  I don't  see  how  I can  get  out  of  it.  Old  Orwyls- 
tree's  done  the  devil  of  a lot  for  me,  you  know.  Fine  chap." 

44  You  really  think  you'd  be  doing  grave  wrong  if  you  didn't  become 
a Catholic  ?" 

44  Oh  yes.  I've  gone  too  far  to  turn  back  with  impunity  now." 

44  You  really  value  it  ? You're  not  just  afraid  of  seeming  incon- 
sistent ? I don't  mean  to  me,  but  to  yourself." 

44  Look  here,  you  once  asked  me  what  I'd  do  if  I became  an  R.C. 
and  Barbara  chucked  me.  Well,  I'd  stick  to  it.  And  I'd  go  on 
further.  If  she  chucked  me  now,  I'd  still  become  an  R.C.  I can't 
say  more  than  that,  can  I ?" 

44  That's  certainly  saying  a lot.  Listen.  Suppose  it  meant  your 
being  cut  off  with  a shilling.  You  and  Barbara  couldn't  live  on 
what  you  get  for  your  job.  And  suppose  she'd  got  no  personal 
income.  I don't  know  what  she's  got.  But  say,  nothing.  Well, 
becoming  a Catholic  would  mean  you  couldn't  marry  her.  Would 
you  become  one,  then,  if  she  said  she'd  marry  you  as  a Protestant  ?" 

44  I don't  think  it's  fair  to  ask  me  that.  It's  life  or  death  to  me, 
marrying  her." 

44  D'you  think  you  could  love  your  faith  more  than  your  life  ?" 

44  I wish  you  wouldn't  ask.  I don't  know.  Does  anybody  ?" 

44  Geoffrey.  Now,  listen  to  me.  You  say  Orwylstree's  been 
helping  you  a lot.  I don't  think  you  realize  what  he's  been  doing. 
He  loves  Barbara,  and  has  loved  her  for  years.  And  as  deeply  as  you 
do,  old  boy.  At  least  that.  And  if  you'd  not  appeared,  I think  it 
1 would  have  been  a clear  course  for  him.  I expect  they'd  have  been 
married  by  now,  or  engaged,  anyway.  But  he  thinks  she  wants  to 
! marry  you.  I don't  know  whether  he's  right.  But  he's  sure,  and 
I there  he  is  right,  she  won't  marry  you  unless  you're  a Catholic. 
Well,  every  word  he  says  to  you,  to  help  you  to  become  a Catholic, 
is  a knife  into  his  own  chances,  see  ? Every  step  he  takes  you  towards 
the  faith  is  a new  death  warrant  he's  signing  for  himself.  At  least 


1 12  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

he  thinks  so.  So  you  see.  He's  done  that  because  he  loves  his 
faith  better  than  himself,  his  life,  and  Barbara.  He  believes  in  it 
so  much  that  he'll  work  to  give  it  to  you,  at  that  cost.  It's  been 
absolute  hell  to  him;  he  felt  he  couldn't  go  on;  that's  why  he  came 
here.  That's  been  what  he's  been  up  against  in  this  retreat.  And 
he's  triumphed,  or  God's  Grace  in  him  has,  for  it  was  superhuman." 

He  lay  absolutely  silent.  At  last  he  said: 

“ That's  a knock-out.  Perhaps  you'd  not  mind  going  and  leaving 
me  to  think  this  out.  No.  Don't  go.  Stay  a bit,  but  don't  talk." 

I remained  till  I had  said  a Rosary.  Then  he  rolled  over  on  to  his 
side,  but  still  said  nothing.  I made  the  sign  of  the  cross  on  his  fore- 
head, and  said  good-night. 

Next  morning  the  Mass  was  said  early.  The  men  all  made  their 
Communion,  and  then  tramped  off  to  the  local  station  or  the  trams, 
into  the  difficult  world  that  was  no  more  so  difficult,  since  God  went 
with  them. 


Chapter  XII 

EARLY  in  July  I received  a frightened  little  letter  from  Miss 
Silver,  saying  she'd  gone  to  Halbutt  Row,  and  that  the 
Corporal  was  gone*  The  fish-shop  was  still  there,  but  with 
a different  name  above  it*  She  had  gone  in,  but  the  man  had  been 
rude,  and  had  refused  all  information* 

I went  up  to  London  as  soon  as  I could,  and  managed  to  get  to 
the  place,  as  before,  about  closing  time;  and  there,  to  be  sure,  was 
44  C*  McCurdy  ,"  in  large  letters,  above  the  window* 

The  burly  unknown  man  behind  the  counter  appeared  surprised 
when  I went  in*  I certainly  didn't  look  like  a customer  for  fish* 

“ Excuse  me,"  I said,  “ but  can  you  tell  me  where  Mr*  Newnes 
has  gone  ?" 

44  F*  Newnes  ?"  he  queried*  44  'Opped  it  this  couple  o'  months* 
Bit  behind  the  times,  Mister*" 

44  How  do  you  mean,  4 hopped  it 9 ?" 

44  Bust*  Sold  up*  'Opped  it*  Na  poo,"  said  he* 

44  But  have  you  any  idea  where  he  is  ?" 

44  Me  ? 'Ow  should  I ? 'E  can  fry  in  his  own  fat,  for  me*" 

44  But  look  here;  he  was  a great  friend  of  mine*" 

44  'E  was  ? Sorry  for  you*  Don't  think  much  o'  your  taste*" 

“ Oh,  well,  he  suited  me  all  right*  But  you'll  do  me  the  greatest 
kindness,  Mr*  McCurdy,  if  you  can  help  me  to  find  him*" 

44  Preach  'im  a little  sermon,  would  you  ? Save  your  breath, 
Mister*" 

“ Look,  Mr*  McCurdy,  don't  worry  about  me,  please ♦ Cut  me 
out*  I want  to  see  Frank  Newnes*  If  you  know  where  he  is,  I'd 
be  extremely  grateful  if  you'd  tell  me*  You  mayn't  have  liked  him, 
and  perhaps  he  did  you  a bad  turn*  D'you  mind  if  I ask  you  to 
forget  it  for  a moment  and  tell  me  what  I want,  if  you  can  ?" 

44  Well,"  he  said, 44  you  speak  straight*  Pass  into  the  back  parlour, 
if  you've  a moment,  an'  when  I've  shut  up  I'll  be  along*" 

I went  in  and  stared  at  the  grate,  now  empty,  where  Frank  and  I 
had  watched  the  fire*  At  last  he  came  in* 

II3 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


114 

44  Will  you  'ave  a drop  ?"  said  he* 

44  Thanks  very  much/' 

44  That's  right/'  he  said*  44  See  you're  a man  after  all/ 

Much  as  I dislike  having  my  masculinity  assessed  by  my  capacity 
for  alcohol,  and  though  I absolutely  loathe  gin,  I grinned  and 
pledged  him* 

44  Now  about  this  Newnes,"  he  said*  44  There  ain't  much  to  tell. 
Bit  of  a dark  'orse,  Newnes*  Don't  know  where  he  got  his  money 
from  in  the  first  instance*  Bit  'ere  and  a bit  there,  I reckon,  same 
as  'e  did  off  me,  me  havin'  picked  him  up  through  a mutual  acquaint- 
ance on  the  ra2&le  at  Brighton  as  I thought  I could  trust*  More 
fool  me*" 

He  then  told  me  a complicated  story  about  some  financial  arrange- 
ment, which  I couldn't  follow,  but  which  issued,  anyhow,  in  his 
having  the  right  to  claim  the  furniture,  if  Frank  couldn't  pay  him  by 
a certain  date*  I gathered  Frank  had  failed  with  the  shop,  had  given 
over  the  furniture  and  had  sold  what  he  could  and  paid  part  of  his 
debts  with  the  proceeds,  and  had  vanished* 

I sat  silent,  very  depressed*  Then  he  said: 

44  Now,  then,  Mister,  I've  told  you  what  I know,  an'  it  ain't  much* 
But  in  return  I want  you  to  let  me  ask  you  a question*" 

44  Right-ho  ! Fire  away  1" 

44  You  say  you're  a friend  of  Frank  Newnes*  Now  is  that  pulpit- 
talk,  or  d'you  mean  it  ?" 

44  I certainly  like  him  very  much  and  I think  he  likes  me  very 
much*" 

44  Well,  you  couldn't  answer  straighter  than  that ! But  I owns 
meself  beaten*  A gentleman  of  your  callin'  an'  Frank  Newnes  likin' 
one  another  very  much  ? Gawd  Almighty  ! It's  a marvel*" 

44  Why  ?" 

44  I likes  you  when  you  says  4 why  ' like  that,"  said  he,  slapping 
my  back  so  hard  that  I began  to  wonder  if  he  were  a little 
drunk*  44  4 Why  ?'  'e  says,  cool  as  you  please*  4 Why  ?'  'e  says 
to  me*" 

44  Well,  why  ? And  why  shouldn't  I say  4 why  ' ?"  said  I,  begin- 
ning to  be  annoyed* 

44  I'll  tell  you,"  said  he*  44  One:  because  there's  few  as  stands  up 
to  C*  McCurdy  in  this  street,  nor  yet  in  many  another;  two:  because 
no  parson's  been  known  to  do  it,  so  far,  anyways*  But  I likes  it,  and 
here's  my  hand*" 

44  Here's  mine,"  I said,  more  and  more  bewildered*  44  But  I wish 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  115 

you'd  tell  me  why  I oughtn't  to  like  Frank  Newnes*  I thought 
most  people  liked  him/' 

44  Some  did/'  he  acknowledged, 44  for  'e's  a tongue  in  'is  'ead  as'll 
make  'em  laugh*  But  also  'e's  a tongue  as  is  a bit  too  sharp,  and 
layin'  into  'em  he  had  been,  lately,  as  I'm  told,  and  more'n  a bit* 
And  as  for  language  ! Well,  I heard  'im  myself  at  that , and  'Eaven 
'elp  us,  I couldn't  'old  a candle  to  'im  meself,  and  I'm  reckoned  hot 
stuff  at  the  language*" 

“ It  takes  him  like  that  sometimes*  But  with  a lot  of  people,  the 
more  they  talk,  the  less  they  do*" 

44  Do  ? 'E  done  me,  anyway*  For  that  furniture  didn't  com- 
pensate me  for  what  I give  'im,  not  by  'arf*  And  do  ? 'Arf  the 
devilment  o'  the  district  was  due  to  him,  if  you  ask  me*  See  the 
devil  in  'is  eye,  you  could*  No  mistakin'  it*" 

44  Oh,  well,  pretty  innocent  devilment*  And  I think  he's  quieted 
down  a lot  since  his  wound,  and  so  on*" 

44  Innocent  ? You  ask  the  girls,  Mister,  and  you'll  hear  whether 
it  was  innocent*" 

44  I think  you're  wrong  there*  He  told  me — oh  well,  I think 
you're  wrong*  You  haven't  evidence,  have  you  ?" 

44  Ah,  that's  where  the  gist  of  the  matter  lies*  All  the  girls  of  the 
place  was  mad  for  Frank  Newnes,  Esquire,  with  'is  gentleman's  ways 
and  his  forelock;  but  'e'd  got  'em  so  well  in  his  power  that  you'd 
not  get  one  of  'em  to  own  up  to  nothing,  and  as  for  'im,  give  himself 
away,  d'you  think  ? Not  'e*  Dark  'orse,  as  I told  you*  Sly* 
Evidence  ? Course  not*  But  you  don't  take  C*  McCurdy  in  just 
'cos  there's  no  evidence*" 

“ Well,  let's  give  him  the  benefit  of  the  doubt,"  I said  smiling,  and 
getting  up  to  go* 

He  pushed  me  back  again* 

“ Don't  go  yet,  if  you've  not  got  to*  This  is  a bit  of  novelty  to 
me,  'avin'  a parson  sittin'  in  me  parlour*  An'  before  you  an'  me 
'as  our  chat.  I'll  say  this  for  your  Mr*  Frank  Newnes*  Generous  'e 
was;  open-'anded  to  a fault*  Chuck  'is  money  about  reckless,  while 
'e  'ad  any*  Did  a powerful  sight  o'  good  turns  too,  unbeknownst* 
Cropped  up  after  'e'd  'opped  it*  But  when  drunk,  oo  ! You  look 
out  for  yourself*  Red  in  'is  eye,  had  Newnes*" 

44  I'm  glad  you  noticed  that,  Mr*  McCurdy*  I mean  about  his 
open-handedness*  And  you  have  to  remember  he'd  been  badly 
gassed,  and  also  very  badly  wounded*  It  was  a great  shock  to 
him*  He  was  a highly-strung  fellow,  all  nerves*  And  he'd  had  a 


n6  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

terribly  bad  time  getting  a job*  And  I expect  when  he  thought  he 
had  got  one — you  don't  know  how  he'd  been  looking  forward  to 
his  shop — and  then  found  it  wasn't  succeeding,  it  would  make  him 
very — well,  unequal;  up  and  down*  I always  told  him  he  was  an  old 
cork*  Push  him  right  down,  and  he'd  come  up  again*  But  if  he 
goes  down  and  stays  down,  it'll  be  a bad  look-out  for  him*" 

44  Look  here,"  he  said, 44  you  ought  to  get  out  of  that  black  coat  an' 
dog-collar*" 

44  I ? Why  ? I'm  a Catholic  Priest  and  I " 

44  Oh,  are  you  ?" 

44  Sure*  * * * I never  thought  of  mentioning  it*" 

44  Well,  I don't  know  much  about  the  Catholics  meself*  There's 
some  as  reckons  they're  the  best  of  a bad  bunch*  But  this  is  it: 
you  ain't  a bad  sort,  but  I fate  your  callin'*  I fate  the  Church. 
Ch  - - urch  I"  he  drawled,  contemptuously*  44  Drown  the  lot  of 
'em,  if  I had  my  way*" 

44  Well,  Mr*  McCurdy,  you  may  think  I know  only  one  word  in 
the  English  language,  but  why  ?" 

He  laughed,  and  hit  me  again  between  the  shoulders*  I'd  been 
leaning  forward,  elbows  on  my  knees*  But  I resolved  to  sit  up- 
right, from  now  on*  * * ♦ 

44  I'll  tell  you,"  he  said,  “ an'  I'll  tell  you  straight*  First:  you're 
a Government  department,  see  ? Now  I'm  agin  the  Government* 
Therefore  I'm  agin  you*" 

44  Oh,  I suppose  you're  alluding  to  the  Established  Church  ? 
Church  of  England*  There's  a lot  in  what  you  say*  But  we  aren't 
like  that,  I assure  you*" 

44  You're  not  ? How  ain't  you  ?" 

44  Two  ways  that  I expect  you'll  understand*  One  is,  we  don't  get 
salaries  from  the  Government*  Not  in  this  country*  I think  we 
ought  to*  But  we  don't*  But  I ought  to  say  in  fairness  that  I don't 
think  the  C*  of  E*  salaries  are  a very  important  item  against  'em* 
Most  parsons  are  miserably  underpaid*" 

44  Underpaid  ? What's  this  I 'eard  the  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury's worth  ?" 

44  He  gets  a lot*  But  he  has  to  spend  it*  He  certainly  has  a very 
great  deal  to  do  indeed*  Where  oyer-paying  comes  in,  if  you  ask 
me,  is  in  the  middle  sort  of  crowd  of  dignitaries,  who  haven't  much 
to  do  and  have  very  comfortable  houses  in  Cathedral  towns,  and  so 
on,"  said  I,  thinking,  I fear,  of  the  Very  Rev*  Alderman  Canon 
Chawner* 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  117 

44  There's  a thing  you  said  there  which  I'll  come  back  to/'  said 
he*  “But  what's  your  second  point  ?" 

“ One  minute*  Honestly,  the  Catholic  clergy  are  very  poor 
indeed * I can't  think,  in  the  whole  country,  of  a class  of  men  who 
do  so  much  work  for  so  little*  I'm  not  alluding  to  exceptions,  who 
are  well  off,  or  lazy,  or  both*  I don't  know  any  ' boths  ' ! But  to  go 
on;  I think  you'll  like  this*  We  have  our  beliefs,  and  we  preach  'em, 
and  we  have  our  orders  and  we  transmit  them  and  we  obey  them* 
And  any  Government  in  the  world  could  hammer  at  us  till  it  was 
sick  and  we  were  pulp,  and  we  wouldn't  obey  if  it  was  against  our 
belief  or  our  orders*  Take  a case*  Divorce*  The  Government 
says  people  can  be  divorced;  and  ministers  must  re-marry  divorced 
folks*  We  say  there's  no  such  thing  as  divorce*  If  the  Govern- 
ment say,  * These  two  people  are  divorced,  re-marry  them,'  we  say, 
4 They  aren't,  and  we  won't*'  And  if  we're  sent  to  prison,  or  fined 
for  it,  well,  we  go  to  prison  and  we  pay*" 

44  Ah,"  he  said*  44  I admire  that*  The  spirit , mind  you*  Not 
what  you  say  about  divorce*  I hold  with  divorce,  and  I reckon  it's 
the  Government's  job  to  settle  just  them  things*  But  if  you're 
against  it  in  your  conscience,  don't  you  let  Government  dictate  to 
you*  Good  for  you,  there*  But  these  parsons  ? Let  the  Govern- 
ment walk  straight  over  them,  as  it  pleases*" 

44  Well,"  said  I,  44  they  are  a State  creation*  Kings  and  Queens 
and  Parliament  began  them*  They  didn't  us*  Christ  began  us* 
But  they  hate  the  position  they're  in,  and  if  you  ask  me,  they  won't 
go  on  being  in  it;  either  a lot  will  come  out,  and  come  to  us,  or, 
they'll  be  disestablished,  and  God  knows  what'll  happen  then;  it'll 
be  the  Church  of  England  on  its  own,  without  props ; and  I expect 
it'll  tumble  down*" 

44  Well,  'ere's  my  point  two*  What  you  said  about  them  fine 
'ouses*  It's  a society  stunt,  the  Church  is*  Now  I'm  a socialist* 
Society  and  socialist,  see  ? There's  all  the  difference*  If  anything, 
I'm  Bolshy*  I'm  full  out  agin  the  gentry*  As  a class,  mind  you;  not 
this  one  nor  that*  Now  the  proof  as  the  Church  is  gentry  is,  if 
you're  down  right  at  the  bottom,  you  goes  nowhere*  Follow  the 
Salvation  band,  may  be;  'ang  round  a street  orator;  but  go  to  church  ? 
Not  them*  Nor  yet  to  chapel*  Chapel's  for  the  respectable  class, 
see  ? The  shopman*  Me,  if  I 'ad  religion*  But  religion  ? In  the 
chapels  ? What  a hope  ! Never  nowhere  such  backbiting,  gossip- 
ing, slandering,  and  secret  muck  as  in  the  chapelgoers*  Howsome- 
ever,  make  a bit  more  money,  shift  your  street  a bit  upper,  an'  you 


n8  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

becomes  Church.  Automatic.  Class,  it  is.  And  worse.  Here's 
me  third  point.  It's  tied  up  with  what's  worse  nor  class.  An'  wot's 
that  ? Money.  Capital.  Capital  the  Church  stands  for.  Get  a 
parson  to  hit  out  and  tell  a capitalist  he's  grinding  the  faces  o'  God's 
poor  ? Not  him.  Tell  a director  o'  these  big  stores  and  the  like 
they  won't  take  'is  damned  cheque  because  it  stinks  o'  the  blood  an' 
sweat  of  the  poor  from  whom  he's  wrung  it  ? Catch  them  / Put 
up  a decent  show  agin  these  'ousing  scandals  ? Tell  a wealthy 
patron  they  won't  drink  'is  champagne  when  the  women  'e  rack- 
rents  is  too  weak  to  feed  their  own  brats  ? Drink  the  champagne 
every  time,  he  will.  And  you  say  they're  poor  ! Well  then,  I say, 
they're  damn  fools  into  the  bargain,  seein'  as  'ow  they  believe  in 
money  and  fall  down  and  worship  money,  and  can't  get  none.  In- 
competent. No  guts.  And  here's  me  fourth  point.  Look  at  'em  l 
I says,  look  at  'em  ! And  listen  to  'em.  * Ur,  me  de-urr  brurthren, 

the  Lurv  o'  Gurd  bids  me  curm  to  yer ,'  ow,  I ' ates  it.  Cant. 

Pulpit  mush.  The  men  knows  it  every  time  an'  'arf  the  women 
knows  it.  I tell  yer,  there's  more  Lurv  o'  Gurd  among  a drunken 
cursin'  troop  o'  navvies  an'  sailors  and  'arlots,  if  you  will  'ave  it, 
than  among  that  cantin'  crowd." 

“ Well,"  I said, 44  thanks  for  saying  all  that.  It's  your  view,  and 
the  view  of  a good  many,  and  it's  not  the  first  time  I've  heard  it.  I'll 
own  there's  something  in  it.  There  must  be,  or  it  would  never  have 
existed.  Or  there  was.  I don't  want  you  to  think  me  a bigot, 
Mr.  McCurdy,  but  it  stands  to  reason,  after  all,  that  I believe  the 
Catholic  Church  to  be  the  true  one,  and,  therefore,  the  other  de- 
nominations not  so  good;  so  you'll  not  be  surprised  if  I say  that  the 
faults  you  mention  hardly  exist  with  us,  and  never  did  to  the  same 
extent  as  they  do — well,  elsewhere.  I recognize  with  you  that  the 
C.  of  E.'s  a national  concern  in  the  sense  it's  restricted  to  this  country 
— for  it's  quite  different  in  the  colonies — but  say  an  Imperial  concern, 
if  you  like;  yet  in  another  sense  it's  thoroughly  un-national,  for  it 
represents  nothing  in  the  nation  whatsoever,  not  even  the  Govern- 
ment nor  the  upper  classes;  it  hasn't  got  a doctrine,  nor  yet  a disci- 
pline, and  it  seems  to  me  to  be  there  chiefly  because  it's  difficult 
to  get  rid  of  a large  thing  all  at  once.  Mind  you,  I respect  plenty 
of  people  who  belong  to  it,  enormously;  I envy  their  qualities;  I 
wish  I used  my  religion  as  they  do  theirs.  So  I do  any  sincere 
person,  trying  to  do  his  best.  But  as  for  the  C.  of  E.  as  an 
institution,  let  alone  the  other  sects,  I can't  see  the  point  of  it 
at  all,  except  for  pageants  and  organizing  philanthropic  effort. 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  119 

And  it's  none  too  necessary  for  that,  now.  Look  at  the 
Y.M.C.A.” 

44  Well,  all  this  would  carry  more  weight,”  said  he,  reasonably, 
44  if  you  was  C.  of  E.  yourself.  Bein'  R.C.  you  feel  'em  rivals,  and 
go  for  'em  natural.” 

44  We  don't  feel  them  rivals,”  I said.  44  There's  no  real  likeness 
between  us,  as  institutions.  And  I don't  want  to  go  for  them;  I'm 
stating  just  what  I think  I see.” 

44  And  I agree,”  said  he,  44  but  I'd  lump  your  crowd  in  with  the 
C.  of  E.'s,  or  would  till  I learned  they  didn't  deserve  it.” 

44  We've  deserved  part  of  it,  in  this  way.  The  Catholic  Church 
is  so  absolutely  sure  that  she  stands  for  something  unchanging, 
permanent,  constructive,  that  her  representatives  have  always  hated 
revolutions,  and  have  been  apt  to  cling  to  what  was  established  and 
conservative,  because  to  that  extent  she  felt  it  was  like  herself,  and 
in  sympathy  with  her.  And  since  that  sort  of  thing  is  what  holds 
the  money-bags  and  controls  the  armies  and  the  police,  some  of  her 
representatives  have  sometimes  succumbed  to  the  frightful  tempta- 
tion of  relying  on  shekels  and  swords  for  help.  But,  as  a rule,  it 
hasn't  been  so.  As  a rule,  the  history  of  the  Church  has  been  one 
long  struggle  for  the  freedom  of  the  spiritual  conscience  against 
coercion;  from  the  days  when  Christians  were  massacred  by  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  for  refusing  to  adore  the  Roman  Caesar;  through 
the  days  when  even  Christian  Emperors  thought  they  could  dictate 
as  to  who  was  to  be  Bishop,  who  was  to  marry  whom,  and  so  on;  to 
the  days  when  Kings  tried  to  set  up  national  religions  which  should 
be  under  their  thumb,  and  succeeded  in  England  to  a great  extent; 
on  to  our  own  days  when  the  State  tries  to  prevent  us,  for  example, 
teaching  our  children  what  we  believe  to  be  the  most  important 
thing  of  all  in  Catholic  schools,  as  they  did  in  France  and  Germany, 
and  even  here.  Christ  against  Csesar,  when  Csesar's  against  Christ, 
every  time.  And  I want  to  be  fair.  Hasn't  the  Church  persecuted 
heretics  ? Hasn't  she  burnt  them  ? Hasn't  there  been  a Spanish 
Inquisition  ? Yes.  But  I won't  tackle  those  questions  of  detail 
now;  I see  you  read,”  said  I,  looking  round  at  book-shelves  well 
laden.  44  I might  send  you  something  on  that  some  day,  to  show 
you  I'm  not  shirking.  But  now  I'm  out  for  the  principle,  not  the 
more  or  less  successful  application  here  or  there.” 

44  Well,”  he  said,  44  what  if  you  ain't  succeeded  nohow  ? What  I 
say  is,  what's  the  Church  good  for  in  any  one  department,  now  ?” 

44  The  Church  is  what  she  has  been,”  I said.  44  In  the  first  300 


120 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


years  of  her  existence,  not  only  she  emancipated  conscience  from 
Caesar,  but  she  revolutionized  from  within  the  lot  of  slaves,  of  women, 
of  the  weak,  even  of  gladiators.  And  in  the  second  chapter  of  her 
story  it  was  she,  her  Popes,  bishops  and  monasteries  who  carried 
civilization  forward  at  the  moment  when  the  Roman  Empire  col- 
lapsed, in  one  sense,  at  any  rate,  and  barbarian  invasions  brought 
chaos  with  them.  Through  what  are  called  the  Dark  Ages  there 
was  a good  deal  of  light,  and  the  Church  upheld  all  there  was  of  it. 
She  saved  the  good  elements  of  the  past,  held  'em  together  and 
created  the  new — namely,  Christendom,  Christian  Europe.  And 
the  Middle  Ages  were  the  time  when  she  most  nearly  succeeded. 
Everything,  from  art  to  hospitals,  from  guilds  to  universities,  sprang 
up  within  her  and  by  means  of  her;  things  were  better , far,  then — 
sheer  social  well-being  was,  intellectual  energy  was — than  300  years 
later,  when  nationalism  and  the  anarchical  movements  in  Germany 
had  broken  Christendom  to  pieces.  I don't  expect  you  to  swallow 
that  whole;  I don't  even  want  you  to;  but  with  all  the  qualifications 
I'd  like  to  put  into  it,  if  I had  six  hours  instead  of  ten  minutes,  it 
would  still  remain  massively  true.  Look  here  1 If  ever  we  can 
arrange  for  having  public  lectures  on  this  sort  of  topic  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood, will  you  come  ? And  will  you  bring  your  pals  who  think 
like  you  ?" 

“ I will  that,"  said  he,  " but  you  don't  know  what  you're  asking 
for.  You'll  get  some  rare  heckling." 

“ Heckle  away,"  said  I,  “ and,  meanwhile,  go  and  heckle  in 
Hyde  Park  on  Sunday  evenings,  near  the  Marble  Arch,  where 
you'll  hear  the  Catholic  Evidence  League  putting  it  a deal  better 
than  I can." 

“ But  you  won't  deny,"  said  he,  44  that  the  Church  has  always 
been  agin  Socialism  ? Now  Vm  a Socialist." 

44  Socialism  means  so  many  different  things.  I maintain,  Mr. 
McCurdy,  that  our  principles  are  as  social,  that  is,  as  constructive 
of  a good  Society,  as  any  others,  and  better.  It's  partly  our  fault  that 
you  don't  know  that.  I can't  conceive  why  every  Catholic  in 
London  doesn't  belong  to  the  Catholic  Social  Guild  and  tell  you. 
Train  lecturers  and  never  have  a district  in  London  without  its 
lectures  going  on.  Oh,  public  lectures;  undenominational  halls, 
public  discussion — free  and  open,  and  something  Catholic  always 
being  told  you.  One  month,  social  principles;  the  next,  history; 
the  next,  philosophy,  I daresay;  the  next,  sheer  explanation  of  our 
doctrine;  and  then  social  science  once  again.  The  responsibility 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  lai 

on  us  is  terrible  if  we  don't  tell  you*  4 How  shall  they  believe  what 
they  haven't  heard  ? And  how  shall  they  hear  if  no  one  tells  'em  ?' 
St*  Paul  asked  that  2,000  years  ago,  and,  my  word,  it  was  a pretty 
obvious  question*" 

44  Well,  as  I said,  pulpit  mush  don't  go  down  nowadays*" 

44  Well,  am  / talking  pulpit  mush  ? Am  I ? I don't  consider  I 
am*  We've  probably  all  got  our  mannerisms*  No  doubt  I have* 
You  have,  Mr*  McCurdy,  you  know*  And  one  of  them,"  said  I, 
preparing  myself,  44  is  to  slog  your  decrepit  friends  very  violently 
between  the  shoulders*" 

He  roared  with  laughter,  and  did  it  again*  I knew  he  would* 
But  as  I sat  up  suddenly,  he  caught  his  hand  very  hard  on  the 
woodwork  of  the  chair  and  said,  44  Damn*"  Then  I laughed* 

44  Now  look,"  said  I*  44  The  upshot  of  all  this  is,  not  that  you 
should  gulp  down  all  this  talk  and  at  once  become  a Catholic,  but 
you  should  resolve  to  know  us  and  to  give  up  hate * If  you  knew  us, 
you'd  find  us  allies  very  well  worth  having,  and  perhaps  even  guides* 
And  any  ally  you  can  get,  for  the  succouring  of  this  unlucky  world, 
you  ought  to  exult  in  getting*  Hate  divides;  hate  destroys;  hate 
falsifies  all  you  look  at;  you  can't  see  what  you  hate,  straight ; and 
it  spoils  the  hater  and  tends  to  make  the  hated  hate  back,  and  that 
spoils  him*  We  can't  afford  to  quarrel,  nowadays,  we  who  do 
want  to  save  the  situation*  It's  an  awful  situation*  You  don't  need 
me  to  tell  you  so*  Never  was  there  such  a mental  instability — minds 
that  were  stable,  behaviour  anyway  that  was  fairly  consistent,  grown 
rickety  and  toppling*  All  the  world's  received  a shock;  all  its 
framework  was  broken  up,  or  it  found,  as  in  this  country,  that  it 
hadn't  even  got  a framework*  No  real  principles*  Just  ways  of 
carrying  on;  bad  ways,  often;  good  sometimes;  but  unprincipled 
nearly  always*  Revolt  against  the  bad  is  breeding  anarchy;  the 
collapse  of  the  good  makes  anarchy  too*  A slop;  a mess*  There 
never  was  so  much  hysteria  in  the  country  as  now*  Or  cynicism* 
Or  despair*  There  was  sublimity  during  the  war*  It's  been  killed 
off*  And  sentimentalism — a debauch  of  it — ids  lasted,  in  the  shape 
of  self-indulgence*  We  want  the  proclamation  of  principles;  you 
may  be  sure  they'll  be  unpopular*  Labour  has  some;  the  Church 
has  more*  Labour's  unpopular  among  those  who  have  none;  the 
Church  is  unpopular  with  that  part  of  Labour  which  has  too  few 
and  doesn't  think  out  fully  what  it's  got  itself*  So  for  God's  sake 
let's  join  hands  whenever  we  can,  and  join  issue  whenever  we  must* 
Then  we  may  get  somewhere*  Meanwhile,  Fd  better  be  getting 


122 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


to  the  station,  else  I'll  lose  my  last  train  and  have  to  come  back  and 
sleep  under  your  counter." 

44  An'  you'd  be  welcome,"  said  he,  grinning.  44  Mind  you,  you 
ain't  converted  me,  an'  I don't  expect  you  think  to  'ave  done.  But 
I take  your  point,  and  I sure  see  there's  two  sides  to  every  question. 
An'  I tell  you  I'll  sure  go  to  Hyde  Park  on  a Sunday  and  hear  them 
lectures.  But  let  'em  look  for  me  to  heckle  ! An'  when  C.  McCurdy 
o'  Belfast  and  London  heckles,  it's  some  heckling." 

Oh,"  I said.  " Belfast  ? Well,  I'm  anyway  London,  too." 

44  You  are  ?"  he  cried.  44  An'  there's  nowhere  like  the  old  village, 
when  all's  said." 

We  said  good-night,  and  between  there  and  Paddington  station  I 
managed  to  say  the  Stations  of  the  Cross  for  Frank,  climbing 
assuredly  a bitter  Calvary,  God  alone  knew  where.  I held  my 
Crucifix  tightly  in  my  pocket  as  I recited  the  Paters  and  the  Aves,  and 
the  indulgences  rained  cool  upon  the  Souls  in  Purgatory.  They 
prayed  for  their  fellow-sufferer,  that  his  suffering  might  be  as  theirs, 
cleansing,  disentangling,  sanctifying. 


Chapter  XIII 

NEXT  day  I felt  I wanted  to  tell  the  Sergeant  about  this*  I 
didn't  go  straight  to  Barbara,  to  whose  prayers  for  the 
Corporal  I always  trusted  especially,  because  she  had  been 
looking  so  worried  lately  that  I wanted  to  add  nothing  to  the  pressure 
that  might  be  on  her*  Mr*  Travers  had  been  ailing  for  a long  time, 
and  the  Sergeant  had  been  transferred  for  quite  three  months  from 
Mrs*  Bolton's  to  the  Travers's  house,  so  as  to  be  handy  if  he  were 
needed* 

So  I went  round  to  the  Guild  Offices  after  lunch,  entered,  and 
said  “ Oh,"  and  stopped* 

For  there,  in  the  window-embrasure,  stood  the  Sergeant  and  Miss 
Silver,  holding  hands* 

Miss  Silver  gave  a little  squeal  and  then  shivered  with  laughter* 
The  Sergeant  looked  scared  out  of  his  wits,  turned  brick  red,  and 
then  grinned  slowly  behind  his  hand* 

44  It's  evident,"  I said, 44  that  I have  to  congratulate  two  very  lucky 
people*" 

44  Miss  Ernestine  Silver,"  said  the  Sergeant  (and  I jumped  with 
delight*  How  could  I have  guessed  she'd  be  called  Ernestine  ?), 
44  Miss  Ernestine  Silver  has  very  kindly  consented  to  be  my  wife*" 
44  And  I do  hope  you'll  forgive  us,"  she  implored*  44  I'd  no 
notion  it  was  going  to  turn  out  like  this  when  I started  coming,  I 
really  hadn't*  I came  most  honestly  to  study  your  literature;  and 
I really  did  miss  my  train  the  first  time,  anyway ; and  went  on  wanting 
to  read  your  literature,  but  I began  to  want — to  want — Jack  to 
explain  it  to  me,  too " 

44  An'  I'm  goin'  to  spend  my  life  explaining  it  to  you,"  said  the 
Sergeant,  with  high  sentiment,  and  he  kissed  her  and  she  once  more 
squealed* 

My  blood  ran  chill  at  the  prospect  of  a life-time  of  lectures  on 
social  economics,  even  from  Jack  Raikes,  but  I applauded  the  general 
idea  without  reserve* 


123 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


124 

44  I've  not  been  received  into  the  Church  yet " began  Miss 

Silver. 

44  But  it  won't  be  long  now/'  interrupted  he. 

“ I hope  not;  and,  of  course,  I couldn't  think  of  its  being  done 
anywhere  but  here " 

4*  Nor  by  anyone  save  you,  Father " 

44  Oh,  if  you  would  ! Then  both  Jack  and  I will  have  been — oh, 
it  was  meant ♦ I'm  sure  it  was  meant  1" 

“ And  it'll  be  him  that  marries  us,"  he  resumed. 

“ And  may  the  bull-dog  come  . . . ?" 

44  An'  Mrs.  Bolton,"  he  said,  44  will  be  the  one  that  makes  the 
cake."  I remained  blinking  under  this  bombardment,  which  con- 
tinued for  another  ten  minutes  or  so,  and  at  last  I said  that  I 
thought  it  would  be  rather  nice  if  I came  back  in  an  hour  or  two  and 
then  we'd  all  go  round  and  tell  Mrs.  Bolton,  and  then  Miss  Travers, 

So  at  a quarter-to-four  I returned,  and  there  they  were,  sitting  in 
the  window-seat,  and  what  enquirers  at  the  office  had  done  mean- 
while, Heaven  knows. 

We  marched  off,  therefore,  to  Mrs.  Bolton's,  who  held  up  hands 
of  amazement  at  the  sight  of  Miss  Silver,  patted  the  Sergeant  in  a 
motherly  way,  and  then  assumed  an  attitude  of  expectant  resigna- 
tion. 

“ Mrs.  Bolton,"  I said,  44  this  is  no  ordinary  visit.  Important 
events  are  occurring,  and  you  are  to  be  informed  of  them  right 
now.  Not  another  soul  is  aware  of  what  you  are  about  to  hear 
save  me." 

44  There  now,"  said  Mrs.  Bolton. 

44  And  two  other  persons  whom  you  now  see  before  you." 

44  Indeed,  your  Reverence,"  said  she. 

44  An  alliance  has  been  concluded,"  I said,  44  between  Miss 
Ernestine  Silver,  your  late  lodger,  and  Mr*  John  Raikes,  ex-sergeant, 
your  later  lodger.  In  three  words,  they're  getting  married." 

44  Lord  forgive  us  l"  cried  Mrs.  Bolton,  somewhat  cryptically, 
" The  lambs  1"  She  then  fell  upon  Miss  Silver  and  kissed  her  on 
both  cheeks  and  patted  her  hands,  exclaiming,  44  The  lambs,"  44  the 
poor  ducks,"  44  the  lovey-doveys,"  and  other  adjurations  of  a zoo- 
logical sort. 

44  An'  whether  'e'll  'ave  it  or  whether  'e  will  not,"  she  cried, 44  kiss 
'im  I will,  as  am  old  enough  to  be  'is  grandmother,  and  proud  would 
I be  to  be  so  if  the  Almighty  'ad  so  ordained  an'  me  not  married 
Bolton  bein'  no  more  than  seventeen  an'  a mere  girl — though  look 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  125 

it  I may  not,  an’  never  so  much  as  met  ’is  grandfather  to  my  know- 
ledge*” 

The  Sergeant  made  no  effort  to  disentangle  these  genealogical 
subtleties,  but  submitted  with  a good  grace,  declaring  that  Mrs* 
Bolton  didn’t  look  older  than  an  honest  thirty,  and  if  he’d  not  met 
Miss  Silver  there’s  no  knowing  what  mightn’t  have  happened* 
Whereupon  Ernestine  cried,  44  Oh,  Jack  /”  and  hit  him  with  her 
gloves,  and  he  deserted  Mrs*  Bolton  and  kissed  her * 

44  An’  seein’  as  Mr*  Raikes,”  continued  the  landlady, 44  has  removed 
to  Mr*  Travers’s  house,  nor  do  I blame  him,  though  better  cakes  than 
what  I make  not  even  that  dear  young  lady  could  cook  for  him  I will 
say,  and  bless  her  angel  fingers — seein’  as  he’s  no  more  here,  what’s 
to  prevent  his  sweet  young  lady  spendin’  part  of  her  time  afore  the 
marriage  in  her  old  room,  with  her  poor  old  landlady  for  chaperong, 
and  them  see  one  another  often  as  they  like  an’  no  ’arm  said*  There’s 
a lodger  there  now,  I will  say,”  she  continued, 44  but  a poor  miserable 
creature  he  is,  an’  never  so  much  as  a 4 Fine  mornin’,  Mrs*  Bolton,’ 
nor  a 4 How’s  the  indigestion  to-day,  Mrs*  Bolton  ?’  and  go  at  the 
end  of  the  week  ’e  shall,  no  sooner  do  you  say  the  word,  you  dearie 
you  1” 

44  And  I must  tell  you,  Mrs*  Bolton,”  I said,  44  that  Miss  Silver’s 
never  going  to  be  naughty  again,  and  if  you  hadn’t  got  a picture  of 
the  Holy  Father  in  her  room,  she’d  go  out  and  buy  one  for  herself* 
She’s  decided  to  become  a Catholic*” 

44  That’s  a dear,  good  girl,”  cooed  the  old  lady,  44  as  is  much  too 
pretty  and  too  sensible  not  to  know  what’s  right  and  proper  when 
she  ’as  the  chance  o’  seeing  it*  Look  at  the  reverend  Father  ’imself*” 
44  Well,”  I said,  44  look  at  me  if  you  like;  I’m  all  that’s  right  and 

proper,  and  I hope  sensible,  but ” 

“ Oh  don’t,”  cried  Miss  Silver,  relapsing,  and  she  enfolded  Mrs* 
Bolton  in  her  arms  and  said  we  must  go  and  see  Miss  Travers* 

44  And  may  all  blessin’s  follow  you,”  cried  she,  dabbing  her  eyes 
with  her  apron,  with  extraordinary  results,  for  her  apron,  like  her 
hands,  was  floury,  44  an’  give  an  old  woman’s  love  to  that  beautiful 
young  angel  an’  may  she  take  example  from  the  two  of  you  an’  make 
poor  Captain  Regin.  ?d  a ’appy  man,  for  that  Blake,”  she  said,  aston- 
ishingly, 44  is  neither  ’ere  nor  there*  Let  ’im  seek  elsewhere,  for  I 
wishes  ’im  no  ’arm,  nor  would  I,  but  my  Miss  Barbara  ’e  shall  not 
’ave,  an’  so  I tells  ’im,  or  would,  if  ’e  was  to  ask*” 

So  we  got  along  to  the  Travers’s,  and  Barbara  was  alone* 

When  we  entered  the  drawing-room  panic  descended  on  the  two 


126 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


of  them  and  they  stepped  behind  me.  I positively  felt  the  Ser- 
geant standing  to  attention,  with  his  eyes  above  our  heads,  and  I 
expect  Miss  Silver  clutched  his  sleeve,  his  fingers  being  inflexible. 

44  Barbara/'  I said,  at  once, 44  I present  to  you  two  happy  people. 
You've  not  met  Miss  Silver,  I think,  but  she's  often  in  these  parts." 

She  shook  hands  charmingly  with  the  girl,  and  then  with  the  Ser- 
geant. 

44  Sergeant,"  she  said  (for  they  all  called  him  that), 44  I'd  noticed 
you've  been  preoccupied  for  a long  while  past — now  I see  why  !" 

44  I trust,  Miss,"  said  he,  in  an  army  voice, 44  that  my  duty  has  been 
in  no  way  interfered  with." 

44  Indeed,  no,"  she  said.  44  We'll  always  be  grateful  to  you  for 
your  help.  We've  come  to  rely  on  you.  But  we  shall  have  to  give 
you  a holiday  now  !" 

44  If  I may  make  so  bold,  Miss  Travers,"  said  he,  44  and  voicing 
the  sentiment,  I'm  sure,  of  my  v/ife  that  is  to  be,  I shall  esteem  it  a 
privilege  to  be  allowed  to  continue  any  service  I can  be  of,  till  the 
last  moment.  And  may  that  be  distant." 

44  The  Sergeant,"  said  1, 44  told  me  on  the  way  here  that  he  hopes 
to  make  his  home  in  Wilchurch,  so  it's  possible  that  he  really  may 
be  of  assistance  to  you  for  a long  while  yet,  whether  in  exactly  the 
same  capacity  or  not  quite,  I don't  know." 

44  In  any  capacity,  Father,  I would  be  proud,"  said  he,  44  to  be  of 
service  to  Miss  and  Mr.  Travers.  And  what  I say,  I've  no  doubt 
but  that  Ernestine  says  with  me." 

After  that  we  all  had  tea,  and  the  two  lambs  then  departed. 

44  Isn't  that  too  wonderful  ?"  said  Barbara.  44 1 don't  mean  her 
becoming  a Catholic,  exactly.  But  the  whole  idea  1" 

44  It's  great,"  I said.  44  And  it  shows  what  a really  excellent  girl 
she  is,  and  how  really  simple.  Because  after  all,  it's  not  what  you'd 
have  expected  for  her.  To  start  with  she  was  as  absurd  as  any  of 
'em,  and  as  undemocratic  as  you  make  'em,  as  these  dilettantes 
all  of  'em  are;  she'd  have  turned  up  her  nose  at  the  real  man  of  the 
people.  And  now  she  goes  and  marries  him  ! They've  talked  it  all 
out,  they  say,  and  their  ways  and  means,  and  she's  been  learning  up 
housekeeping — oh,  and  keeping  accounts — and  he's  explained  she'll 
really  have  to  work,  and  she  realizes  it  all  right,  and  she's  willing." 

44  All  the  same,"  Barbara  said,  44  I shouldn't  wonder  if  he'll  earn 
a good  salary  some  day,  especially  if  he  improves  at  the  pace  he's 
going  at.  And  with  his  pension,  and  a little  newspaper  work  on 
her  part,  they'll  get  along.  Oh  ! we'll  have  her  for  the  C.W.L." 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  127 

44  I love/'  said  I,  44  to  see  this  mating  of  idealism  and  common 
sense  ! Miss  Silver  and  the  Sergeant,  converts,  and  as  keen  as 
mustard  in  different  ways — absolutely  no  side , now,  about  either 
of  'em  1" 

We  paused;  all  this  talk  had  been  a little  too  deliberate.  I knew 
she  wanted  to  say  something  else.  At  last  she  said, 44  Father,"  and 
waited. 

44  Yes  ?" 

44  Father,  I don't  think  Daddy  can  live  very  long  now.  Then 
what  am  I to  do  ?" 

44  Lady  Sophia  would  look  after  you,"  I said,  for  the  sake  of  saying 
something* 

44  Yes,  but  that  wouldn't  do  at  all.  No,  Father,  I've  always 
thought  I wanted  to  be  a nun.  And  since  Dicky  was  killed.  I'm  sure. 
But  I wouldn't  think  about  it  while  Daddy  needed  me.  But  now 
I feel  dreadful  about  it.  * ♦ ♦" 

She  broke  off. 

I was  thinking  of  so  many  things  that  I couldn't  speak  for  a few 
moments. 

44  Help  me  a little,"  she  said. 

44  It's  not  that  you  doubt  your  vocation,  I think  ?" 

44  No;  I'm  sure/9 

44  Nor  that  you  can't  tell  what  order  or  congregation  to  join  ?" 

44  No.  The  Poor  Clares,"  she  said,  speaking  very  low.  That,  I 
confess,  I had  not  at  all  foreseen.  However,  I left  it,  and  said: 

44  Well,  Barbara  dear,  there's  no  one  living  who  has  the  right  to 
prevent  you." 

44  And  I don't  mean  Reggie,"  she  said,  looking  up  and  smiling. 

44  Then  I think  you  mean  Geoffrey  Blake,"  I said,  smiling  too. 

Her  smile  died  right  out,  and  she  looked  drawn  and  unhappy. 

44  It's  more  dreadful  than  you  think.  Reggie's  such  a Catholic 
that  he'll  understand.  I can  trust  him.  But  Captain  Blake  isn't 
even  a Catholic  yet.  If  I go,  will  he  become  one  ? And  if  I wait 
till  he  does,  and  then  go,  what  will  become  of  him  ? I'm  not  vain, 
Father.  I'm  not  really,  but  I am  mixed  up  in  his  conversion;  how 
can  I doubt  it  ? And  I can't  tell  him  or  anyone  but  you,  as  a 
priest,  who's  a friend,  too,  that  I'm  determined  to;  and  if  I let 
him  linger  on  and  on,  so  to  say,  and  be  converted,  and  then  go — 
well,  how  can  I ?"  she  said,  flushing. 

44  Oh,  Barbara,  you  don't  want  me  to  tell  them,  or  to  let  them 
know  sort  of  casually,  that  you're  thinking  of  it  ? 


128 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  It  would  be  cruel  to  ask  you.  But  everything  seems  cruel  just 
now/'  She  paused  again,  ♦ , ♦ 44  And  even  as  it  is,”  she  said,  her 
voice  going  up  a little,  but  she  had  wonderful  control,  **  don't  you 
see  that  it  looks  as  if  I'd  been  leading  him  on — I haven't,  but  a girl 
can't  help  feeling — oh,  you  can't  guess  what  she  must  feel  if  a man 
thinks  that  of  her — or  even  playing  them  off  one  against  the  other 
— being  nice — I had  to  be  nice,  Father,  hadn't  I ? And  I've  never 
once  flirted,  ♦ ♦ 

44  I couldn't  imagine  you  flirting,  Barbara,'' 

“ No,  but  they  could  perhaps.  Or  Captain  Blake — won't  he 
think  I've  merely  been  netting  him  for  the  Church  ? I couldn't 
bear  it.  Oh,  why  can't  everyone  be  Catholics  and  see  things  from 
the  inside  ? He'd  know,  then,  I couldn't  have,'' 

44  I think  Reggie'd  see  him  through  it,  Barbara,  He  has  a cult 
for  Reggie,  And  he's  understood  the  idea  of  sacrifice.  He's  seen 
examples  , ♦ , and  of  loyalty,  , , ♦ He'll  not  suspect  you.  They'll 
both  suffer;  but  they'll  have  one  another's  friendship.  It'll  draw 
them  together,  I think.  It  may — finish  Blake's  transformation,” 
She  sighed.  After  a pause  she  said: 

44  D'you  think  I'm  right  about  the  Poor  Clares  ?” 

“ It's  a new  idea  to  me.  I'd  have  to  get  my  thoughts  rearranged,” 
“ Life  has  been  so  very  complicated,”  she  said,  44  I feel  I need 
a great  simplification,” 

I couldn't  help  smiling, 

44  The  Poor  Clares  certainly  would  provide  one  !”  I said,  44  But 
you're  young,  Barbara,  You  mayn't  always  feel  life's  quite  so 
muddled.  The  Poor  Clares  would  be  for  all  the  rest  of  your  exist- 
ence, , ♦ ," 

44 1 feel  very  old,”  she  said,  and  as  she  sat  like  that,  with  her 
delicate  profile  to  me,  she  might  have  been  almost  any  age,  so  ex- 
perienced and  calm  was  her  look,  albeit  the  late  afternoon  made  her 
hair  glow  like  the  pheasant's  feathers  Jock  had  compared  it  to, 
44  Since  Dicky  died,  I feel  that — well — that  I've  lived  that  part  of 
my  life,  if  it  doesn't  sound  priggish  to  say  so,” 

“ But,  seriously,  doesn't  Lady  Sophia  want  you  to  live  with  her  ?” 
44  Yes,  she  does.  But — I don't  want  to  live  in  a castle — nor 
Curzon  Street,  I'd  be  all  wrong  there,  I don't  want  that  sort  of 
society  life,  and  Linborough  is  a perfect  wilderness,  and  I couldn't 
even  do  C,W,L,  there,” 

44  Don't  you  think  she  might  need  you  ? She  is  very  old.  It 
would  still  be  sacrifice,  Barbara,  First  for  your  father,  and  then 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


129 

for  her*  No  one  could  call  it  selfish*  And  it  doesn't  really  matter 
whether  you  wear  satin  shoes  or  go  barefoot*" 

44  If  she  needed  me.  I'd  go*  And  the  only  human  thing  that  could 
keep  me  out  of  the  Poor  Clares  would  be  the  cold  1" 

44  Perhaps  you  might  do  both*  She  can't  live  very  long*" 

44  Isn't  life  strange  ? From  death  to  death*  Dicky;  then  Daddy, 
Aunt  Sophia — we'd  be  waiting  for  them*  Counting  on  them  almost* 
One  feels  so  unreal;  somehow,  I hardly  feel  I'm  me*  One's  life 

depending  on  deaths " 

44  Ego  sum  resurrectio  et  vita " 

44  Oh  1"  she  cried,  suddenly  animated*  44  I want  to  pray ! I 
want  the  Divine  Office  ! I want  to  offer  myself ! Every  now  and 
then  sacrifice  seems  so  everything , that  I don't  mind  those  two  poor 
boys  suffering — oh.  Father  ! Don't  say  I shall  have  to  sacrifice 
my  sacrifice  and  marry  one  of  them  !" 

“ My  dear  Barbara,  we're  becoming  almost  ridiculous,"  I said* 
44  I'll  say  Mass  that  God  may  clear  up  our  minds,  and  you  pray  for 
the  Corporal*  I don't  know  where  he  is*  I'm  sure  he's  in  trouble* 
I must  find  him — so  pray  hard*" 


9 


Chapter  XIV 

I THOUGHT  our  prayers  were  answered  when  about  the 
beginning  of  September  I received  a letter  from  the  Cor- 
poral* 

“Reverend  Father  and  True  Friend:  Re  St*  Edith's  Fair  com- 
mencing Monday  sixth  and  finishing  Tuesday  io  o'clock  I shall  be 
there  Father*  Look  out  for  Gorgeous  Glancing  Gondolas,  that's 
us,  some  Gondolas  you  bet  when  they  glances  they  leaves  your 
stummack  hanging  on  the  off  horn  of  the  moon  it's  Truth  I'm 
telling  you*  Well  Father  Here's  the  best  of  luck  and  I'll  be  round 
sure  thing  Sunday  night  we  camping  at  Wilford  Bridge  ard  by  I 
have  a lot  to  tell  you  you  bet  Father*  Now  Father  dont  you  be 
away  I want  to  see  you  I tell  you  I do  for  sure*  Wishing  you  all  the 
best  old  friend  your  sincere  friend  Francis  Newnes*  P*S*  talk 
of  the  frying  pan  an  fire  what  else  is  life  so  you  be  there  Father  mind, 
your  old  pal  if  you'll  still  ave  me  Frank*" 

I wrote  hastily  to  say  I'd  be  away  till  late  on  Sunday,  but  that  I'd 
come  out  to  see  them  putting  up  the  Fair  on  the  Monday  morning. 
He  answered  by  a card  saying  that  he'd  light  a red  flare  at  5*45 
prompt,  so  that  I'd  see  where  he  was* 

On  Saturday  night  the  heavy  engines  were  deposited  in  St* 
Edith's,  the  broad  street  on  to  which  our  house  looks.  As  usual, 
the  heaviest  were  placed  on  our  side,  and  exactly  opposite  our 
windows*  On  Sunday  they  plotted  out  the  areas  each  show  might 
occupy,  and  at  exactly  5 a*m*  on  Monday  the  Fair  began  to  arrive* 
I got  up  and  went  out,  never  tiring  of  the  extraordinary  spectacle* 
The  poor  sky  didn't  want  to  be  woken  up  yet,  and  at  first  showed 
a dead  sort  of  light,  that  was  no  light,  and  was  outraged  by  the 
flaring  orange-coloured  naphthas,  and  the  incandescent,  violet  by 
contrast;  gradually  the  wan  dawn  increased,  very  austere  and  cold 
behind  the  flares*  Enormous  vans  serpentined  to  and  fro,  backing 
with  extreme  delicacy,  each  into  its  own  place*  I wondered  how  on 
earth  all  this  was  done  when  it  was  managed  by  the  help  of  scores 
of  horses*  Already  the  central  parts  of  the  merry-go-rounds  were 

130 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  131 

in  place , huge  funnels  on  the  top  of  each  of  which  a serene  youth 
always  sat,  smoking  a cigarette*  I never  saw  him  get  there,  and 
how  he  did  it  I never  knew*  But  there  he  sat,  catching  with  aston- 
ishing accuracy  the  long  iron  rods  that  should  support  the  awning, 
riveting  them,  fitting  them  into  the  gigantic  spokes  from  which  the 
cars  were  to  hang,  and  which  grew  out  skeleton-wise,  with  great 
rapidity,  all  round  the  shaft*  Underneath,  men  were  handling  with 
a terrifying  impassivity  dragons,  swans,  and  mermaids,  at  which 
quite  a large  crowd  already  gaped*  I thought  it  was  really  time  I 
lent  a hand,  for  I had  ended  by  feeling  indignant  at  the  aloof  atti- 
tude of  the  onlookers*  It  is  true  that  at  the  corner  where  the  show- 
vans  came  in  procession  into  St*  Edith's,  the  crowd  made  awestruck 
comments*  44  She'll  be  in  there”  they  all  said,  when  the  vehicle 
painted  with  the  image  of  the  Fat  Lady  arrived*  But  round  the 
places  where  the  actual  work  was  being  done  it  would  have  required 
a pickaxe  to  penetrate  the  apathy  of  the  contemplative  male*  So 
amid  the  general  disapproval  I assisted  elderly  ladies  in  velvet  coats 
to  upheave  all  sorts  of  beams,  trestles,  and  rails,  and  got,  no  doubt, 
very  badly  in  their  way*  However,  they  professed  gratitude,  and 
I consider  I built  a large  portion  of  that  Fair*  It  was  odd,  I re- 
flected, how  ugly  the  majority  of  the  show-ladies  were,  and  how  lean 
and  good-looking  the  men*  Men  who  have  to  do  with  horses  or 
ships,  clerics,  judges,  and  actors  develop  a special  sort  of  face  and, 
in  particular,  of  mouth;  so  did  these  men;  they  were  lean,  cynical, 
alert,  yet  tired;  with  sharp  eyes,  and  lips  melancholy,  though  con- 
trolled* * * * I liked  the  type;  I was  sure  we  should  be  friends  (I 
exclude  a beastly  Professor  claiming  to  be  from  a fashionable  studio 
in  Montmartre,  and  some  soul-less  voluble  cheap-jacks;  but  these 
hadn't  yet  come  to  the  surface);  and  good  temper  was  already 
noticeable*  When  an  on-looking  lady  got  in  the  way,  and  a world- 
weary  youth  roared  at  her,  44  Now  'op  it,  mother,  else  yer  feet'll  be 
as  flat  as  wot  yer  face  is,  an'  that's  pancakes,"  she  would  merely  say, 
admiringly,  "Well,  ain't  'e  the  one  for  sauce!"  and  stay  exactly 
where  she  was  till  he  kissed  her  into  rout* 

But  a sudden  crimson  glare  shot  upwards  a hundred  yards  away* 
It  was  the  Corporal*  Advancing  timidly  in  the  wake  of  one  of  the 
groups  of  alarmingly  competent  young  girls,  who  alone  lent  a squeal- 
ing vivacity  to  the  rather  grim  scene,  I at  length  found  a gigantic  struc- 
ture between  Lieutenant  Smith's  Amusements  (I  was  longing  to  find 
out  what  they  were;  poor  man,  he  looked  as  if  he  needed  them)  and 
The  Original  Oriental  Orgies , Harem  Houris  and  Omar's  Odalisques ♦ 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


132 

And  there,  at  an  incredible  height,  perched  on  the  slender  funnel, 
sat  Francis  Newnes, 

44  What-oh,  Far-ther,”  shrieked  he, 

A vast  crowd  instantly  began  to  collect, 

44  Come  down,  Frank,”  I shouted,  in  terror  of  this  publicity, 

44  'E  calls  'im  Frank  !”  murmured  the  crowd,  and  I at  once  went 
up  in  their  estimation, 

Frank  slung  himself  down  by  the  web  of  iron  rods;  but  since  he'd 
got  up  there  to  put  them  up,  I still  was  at  a loss  to  guess  how  he'd 
reached  his  perch.  He  was  in  trousers,  tennis  shoes,  and  sweater, 
and  looked  haggard.  However,  he  shook  my  hand  till  my  wrist 
felt  dislocated, 

44  Knew  you'd  come,”  he  cried — 44  knew  you  would  !” 

44  Of  course.  But  couldn't  we  get  somewhere  private  ?” 

He  gazed  round, 

44  Inside  of  the  ingin,”  said  he, 

I crawled  after  him  into  the  bowels  of  the  merry-go-round,  and 
we  sat  down  on  some  very  oily  machinery,  over  which  he'd  spread 
a rag.  He  went  on  repeating  that  he'd  known  I'd  come,  and  asking 
how  I was, 

44  I'd  no  idea  you'd  taken  on  this  job,  Frank,” 

44  Didn't  meself  till  a month  ago.  The  old  boy  wot  owned  it, 
crocked;  and  wishful  to  do  me  a good  turn,  me  'avin'  invented  the 
Glance,  'e  'anded  it  over  to  me  on  an  understandin'.  You  ain't 
never  seen  it  ?” 

44  The  Glance  ? The  Gondolas  ? What  d'you  mean  ?” 

44  The  Gondolas,”  he  corrected  me,  44  Triple  motion.  They 
rotates,  same  as  any;  an'  they  rocks;  an'  they  glances,  I mean  they 
whizzes  round,  rockin'  like  as  the  gondolas  do,  an'  then  the  whole 
business  it  suddenly  slips  back  like  with  a most  'orrible  jerk,  leavin' 
your  innards  somewheres  three  feet  in  front  of  you,  I invented 
that  there  glance,  along  of  wot  you  told  me  they  done  to  you  once 
when  you  was  flyin'.  Glide  up  an'  up  quiet,  and  then,  whpp  1 back 
yer  goes  sudden,  you  know.  Some  strain  on  the  machinery,  but 
most  delish  for  the  public.  Fair  loves  it.  But  you  'ave  free  rides 
all  the  time,  if  so  be  you  likes  to.  Free  for  you  every  time  an'  all 
the  time,  if  so  be  , , ,” 

44  But  Frank,  I'll  be  wheeling  about  spinal  carriages  all  day.  I 
shan't  be  able  to  leave  them,  to  have  rides,  I'm  afraid,” 

44  As  you  please,”  said  he,  44  Here's  me,  here's  the  gondolas 
complete  with  Glance,  and  here's  you,” 


133 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  Are  you  running  this  show  by  yourself  ?" 

44  Along  with  the  Oriental  Orgies/'  he  said,  curtly. 

44  Well,  anyway,  if  I take  a 'bus,  and  start  back  from  the  hospital 
at  io,  I can  be  here  about  10.45,  and  you  and  me'll  have  our  yarn, 
won't  we  ? We  can  manage  somewhere,  I expect.  You  all  shut 
down  at  io.o  ?" 

44  Oh  yes;  we'll  have  our  yarn,"  said  he,  rather  moodily. 

Then  we  separated. 

I arrived  at  the  hospital  at  two,  and  collected  a lad  called  Thomas 
Carter,  who  had  been  on  a farm  near  Hanton  before  the  war,  and 
was  now  awaiting  his  twenty-third  operation  on  his  spine;  he  was 
still  sheathed  in  plaster,  and  had  lain  in  the  same  position  for  three 
years,  now.  However,  he  could  wave  his  arms  about,  and  you 
could  prop  his  head  up  a little.  We  reached  the  Fair  about  three 
o'clock. 

A church,  broadways  on,  blocked  the  entrance  to  the  wide  street 
— it  was  quite  fifty  yards  wide,  I should  say — and  only  after  turning 
its  apse  did  the  full  glory  of  the  spectacle  burst  upon  you.  The 
uproar  of  the  merry-go-rounds  was  such  that  all  the  music  fused,  and 
only  when  you  were  actually  beside  one,  could  you  distinguish  its 
tune.  The  Gondolas,  as  we  passed — the  Glance  was  terrific — were 
playing  Rachmaninoff's  Prelude  in  rag-time.  Taken  at  a brisk 
pace,  it  sounded  quite  remarkable.  The  Corporal  was  nothing  if 
not  up  to  date.  He  also  had  the  Ride  of  the  Valkyries  in  his  reper- 
toire, and  plenty  of  Barcarolles,  also  44  ragged." 

We  moved  slowly  down  the  Fair,  which  took  us  a good  half-hour, 
for  the  crowds  were  already  dense  under  a blazing  sun.  Ice-cream 
stalls;  photographers;  rifle-ranges;  coker-nut  shies,  and  merry-go- 
rounds.  Fortune-tellers,  too,  but  we  waited  till  later  to  sample 
them.  Likewise  the  side-shows. 

Having  reached  the  extreme  end  of  the  Fair,  we  returned,  and 
inspected  the  Mysterious  Mole,  the  Gruesome  Girl  from  Grin- 
stead  (she  was  a head,  no  more,  floating  in  mid-air  within  a box,  an 
illusion  which  I refrained  from  explaining  to  Carter  till  teatime, 
when  I considered  he  had  gloated  over  her  gruesomeness  sufficiently)/ 
the  Fat  Ladies  (his  comments  were  unprintable),  and  a good  deal 
more  of  the  same  sort.  Already  the  good  nature  of  the  Fair-people 
was  manifest.  No  showman  or  show-woman  would  dream  of  letting 
me  pay  for  the  wounded  boy,  nor  even  for  myself;  actually,  they 
once  or  twice  uprooted  poles,  and  upheld  sagging  tents  to  let  the 
chair  through  an  else  too  narrow  aperture.  And  the  crowds  parted 


134  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

without  a murmur  till  I could  wheel  him  right  down  to  the  front, 
and  enjoy  to  the  full  at  once  the  spectacle  and  the  decisive  perfumes 
of  moles,  seals,  cowboy  leather  or  patchouli,  as  the  case  might  be* 
Carter  took  the  performances  with  placidity,  but  interiorly  he  was 
enjoying  himself  immensely*  Once  or  twice,  confronted  by  such 
mild  improprieties  as  the  Fair  allowed  itself,  he  murmured: 44  Silly, 
I call  it,”  and  once,  “ Childish*”  Once,  too,  when  I explained  why 
we'd  cut  out  the  Professor,  he  austerely  began: 44  Them  things  didn't 
ought  to  be  allowed*  Now,  when  I was  in  France  * * ♦”  All  the 
way  to  The  Last  Hope , where  we  now  adjourned  for  tea,  he  kept  up 
an  account  of  his  experiences  over  there,  but  I couldn't  listen  to  him, 
as  the  job  of  steering  the  chair  through  the  ever-increasing  crowd 
absorbed  my  attention,  and  the  angry  music  all  round  us  drowned 
half  of  what  he  said* 

But  when  we  turned  off  into  the  High  Street  he  was  observing: 
44  But  you  mustn't  say  too  much  to  them,  when  all's  said  an'  done, 
seein'  as  human  nature's  human  nature,  an'  works  itself  out  regular, 
no  matter  what  a man's  opinions  is*'' 

44  Opinions  can  help  a lot,''  said  I*  “ But  you've  got  to  have  'em 
And  to  have  opinions  which  apply  all  the  time  and  every  time  and 
don't  cease  to  be  true  on  Armistice  night  or  Fair  night*'' 

44  There's  few  opinions  like  that,''  said  he* 

But  we  turned  off  into  the  courtyard  of  the  Last  Hope ♦ I often 
took  wheeled  chairs  in  there,  because  it  was  difficult  to  heave  them 
into  proper  tea-shops,  and,  anyhow,  the  men  preferred  it*  How- 
ever, since  it  was  not  much  past  four,  and  supper  wasn't  to  be 
till  six,  and  Carter  said  he  felt  that  he  could  fancy  a ham 
sandwich,  I bought  him  eight  at  the  little  meat  shop  next  door,  and 
he  ate  all  of  them*  Meanwhile,  I explained  to  him  the  illusion  of 
the  Gruesome  Girl,  and  this,  with  the  ham  sandwiches  and  a glass 
of  beer,  made  him  thoughtful*  I let  my  mind  rest,  in  this  old- 
fashioned  courtyard,  with  its  plaster  walls  tinted  a warm  apricot 
between  dark  oak;  its  Virginia  creeper  already  turning  every  fiery 
tint,  its  evergreens  in  barrels,  its  gallery*  It  pleased  me;  and  the 
westering  sun  began  to  fill  it  with  calm  splendour*  The  angry  music 
of  the  Fair  seemed  whole  leagues  away* 

Meanwhile,  Ethel,  who  brought  him  his  beer  and  me  my  cup  of 
tea,  made  a discovery* 

44  How  funny,''  she  exclaimed,  “ but  I seem  to  know  your  face*'' 
She  always  said  this;  but  now  she  was  looking  at  Carter  as  if  she 
meant  it. 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  135 

“ Name  of  Thomas  Carter/'  said  he*  44  Farm  'and  at  Cotton's 
by  Hanton,  previous  to  the  war*" 

“ There  now  !"  said  she, 44  ain't  that  funny  ? And  me  at  Hanton 
too,  ever  since  I was  a little  one*" 

They  sparred  for  a long  time,  till  he  marked  her  down  as  Ethel 
Bennett  from  Perrin  and  Peach's,  haberdashers*  He  used  to  bring 
in  eggs*  At  every  pause,  and  there  were  many,  she  murmured, 
44  Well,  now,  isn't  that  funny  !"  and  he  replied  with,  44  Queer,  ain't 
it  ?"  This  went  on  for  twenty  minutes,  while  I watched  the  sun- 
light* 

At  last  he  said,  without  any  preliminary  skirmish:  44  An'  what 
about  young  Arthur  Sparks,  'im  as  you  was  walkin'  out  with  ?" 

44  He  chucked  me  for  Liza.  Nobblet,"  she  returned,  with  equal 
serenity,  44  her  what  served  at  Edston's*"  Then  she  turned  to  me* 
44  Walkin'  out  with  him  a matter  of  eight  year,  I was,  an'  on  his  first 
leave  he  chucks  me  for  another*  Tried  to  hide  it,  he  did,  an'  keep 
the  two  on  us  dangling  like,  one  on  each  little  finger*  But  she  fad 
to  crow  over  me,  had  Liza,  it  bein'  thought  none  would  be  wishful 
for  'er,  what  with  her  figure  an'  then  her  ways  being  known*" 

44  That  was  hard  on  you,"  I said* 

Little  tired  wrinkles  showed  suddenly  all  round  her  eyes,  but  else 
she  remained  placid* 

44  She  won't  be  thinkin'  so  much  of  'im  now,"  said  she,  44  he 
havin'  got  his  what-for,  an'  one  side  of  his  face  shot  away  cruel,  an' 
him  being  out  of  khaki  an'  started  a moustache  again  to  hide  it,  but 
lazy-like,  him  not  carin'  much  about  life  no  more  an'  leaves  it  ragged*" 

44  Married,  was  they  ?"  he  asked* 

44  An'  quick,  too*  Funny,  isn't  it  ? Walkin'  out  for  eight  years, 
an'  me  not  so  much  as  lookin'  at  another,  nor  yet  wouldn't  do,  an' 
writin'  to  'im  regular  an'  send  in'  him  this  an'  that  when  I had  a 
shillin'  here  an'  a sixpence  there;  an'  then,  married  in  a fortnight* 
Well,  I suppose  it's  natural,  she  makin'  a dead  set  at  him  an'  me  gone 
off  a bit  through  workin'  real  hard*  Funny,  ain't  it  ? Come  natural 
to  him,  I reckon,  an'  didn't  think  twice  about  it*  I don't  wish  him 
no  ill  luck*  'E  don't  want  more  than  he's  got,  not  with  Liza  Nobblet 
what  was*  But  say,  kid,  ain't  it  funny,  me  meetin'  you  ? Tell  us 
about  yourself,  boy*  You  was  married,  too,  wasn't  you  ?" 

44  Ah,"  he  said*  44  An'  two  kiddies  as  is  now  with  me  sister-in- 
law*  Did  the  dirty  on  me,  she  did,  and  off  with  a Canadian  Ser- 
geant, through  'er  not  'avin'  no  more  use  for  me  like  this,  an'  my 
divorce  is  goin'  through  this  very  minute,  tho'  it's  none  so  easy. 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


136 

'im  'avin'  left  'er  or  she  ' im , an"  livin'  with  another.  Decent  chap, 
too,  by  all  accounts/' 

44  Pore  kid,"  said  she.  44  Wish  you  may  get  it  soon.  There's  a 
tidy  few  as  wants  'em  nowadays,  but  the  half  of  'em  don't  bother. 
Arrange  it  between  'em;  'im  an'  'er;  and  'er  an'  'im;  keep  your  name 
an'  no  money  spent;  or  just  swops.  Funny,  ain't  it  ? I don't  hold 
with  it  meself,  havin'  been  brought  up  different,  nor  ever  did,  nor 
will." 

44  We  none  of  us  ain't  had  much  bringin'  up,"  said  he.  44  Least- 
ways,  it  ain't  schooling  as  teaches  us  them  things,  aye  or  nay.  It's 
conscience  as  does  it,  an'  some  'ave  one  an'  some  you'd  reckon 
'aven't.  And  yet,  again,  there's  plenty  as  *as  consciences  what  does 
it,  and  sorry  enough  they  are  when  they  wakes  up  to  it." 

After  this  we  went  back  to  the  Fair.  As  we  passed  the  Gondolas 
(which  were  playing  Grieg's  Death  of  Ase,  arranged  as  a waltz),  I 
observed  the  Corporal  standing  on  the  little  platform  under  the 
electric  orchestra.  Cymbals  palpitated  around  him,  drums  rattled 
to  invisible  sticks;  angels,  negresses,  harlequins,  and  gondoliers,  all 
heavily  gilded,  jerked  their  arms  and  necks  mechanically  around  the 
central  portrait  of  Edward  VII*  and  Queen  Alexandra,  above  whom 
clusters  of  electric  lights  already  had  begun  to  blaze.  But  the  sunset 
flashed  back  from  myriads  of  little  mirrors,  flaring  fiercely  as  the  vast 
machine  gathered  pace,  roared  as  it  rotated,  and  then  jerked  hideously 
backwards  to  the  accompaniment  of  shrieks.  The  Corporal,  very 
horsey,  glistening  gaiters,  immense  pale  check  riding-breeches, 
waisted  coat  with  flaps,  stock,  and  a bowler  hat  at  an  angle,  had  put 
the  differentiating  touch  to  his  costume  by  means  of  a crimson  sash 
He  was  shouting  rather  brutally  at  the  crowd,  timid,  it  would  seem, 
of  the  44  Glance,"  and  ridiculing  their  reluctance.  He  didn't  see  us, 
and  we  turned  back  a step  or  two  to  see  Lieutenant  Smith's  Amuse- 
ments, which  turned  out  to  be  twisted  mirrors,  and  a few  wax  heads, 
representing  Miss  Flossie  Foljambe,  the  Morphia  Maniac,  and 
some  obscure  murderesses;  there  was,  too,  a peep-show  into  which 
Tom  Carter  couldn't  raise  himself  to  peer.  44  Childish,"  he'd  have 
called  it. 

We  then  decided  to  finish  up  with  the  Oriental  Orgy.  The  tent 
was  stifling,  and  we  had  to  wait.  Two  elderly  ladies,  of  a type 
which  the  Fair  showed  frequently,  noticed  me,  and  at  once  began 
they  too.  to  put  the  Differentiating  Touch.  ...  44  Of  course,  I 

don't  really  go  to  these  places,  dear,"  said  the  elder; 44  but  then  one 
always  learns  something , and  on  a day  like  this  I thought  one  really 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  137 

ought  to  !°  44  Oh,  yes,  dear;0  she  replied,  44  because  * * *"  But 
both  remained  silent,  at  a loss  to  find  a motive  for  this  duty* 

44  Jest  to  see  how  the  pore  dear  common  folks  amuses  of  them- 
selves,0 said  Carter,  so  unexpectedly  that  I jumped*  But  a curtain 
drew  aside,  and  there  was  the  Oriental  Orgy,  sitting  on  a sort  of  tripod 
wreathed  in  snakes,  of  which  the  smaller  ones  were  undoubtedly  alive* 
0 I am  the  only  genuine  Oriental  Orgy,  ladies  and  gentlemen,0 
she  announced,  in  a mincing  voice,  most  unsuited  to  her  stalwart 
proportions*  0 This  snake  is,  as  you  see,  a cobra,  and  is  the  iden- 
tical species  used  by  the  magicians  when  confronting  Moses,  and 
as  worn  by  the  Royal  'Ouse  of  the  ancient  Egyptians*  It  was  also 
used  by  Cleopatra  when  angered  by  her  defeat  by  Julius  Caesar,  as 
told  by  Shakespeare*  ♦ ♦ *° 

But  I was  distracted  by  the  two  ladies'  alarm,  which  was  genuine, 
and  caused  one  of  them  to  grip  me  by  the  collar  and  then  to  apologize, 
and  by  their  fictitious  disapproval  of  the  Orgy's  attire*  At  least  it 
didn't  prevent  their  stopping  there*  But,  more  than  all  else,  the 
sudden  apparition  of  the  Corporal  amazed  me;  he  stood  on  the 
further  side  of  the  tent,  watching  the  Orgy  with  a scowl*  She  had 
descended  from  her  perch,  and  was  languorously  dancing  to  the 
thudding  of  a drum  and  the  clamour  of  Indian  Love  Lyrics  from  a 
gramophone ; incense  curled,  but  when  I looked  round,  after  a blaze 
of  pink  fire  had  made  me  blink,  the  Corporal  was  gone*  A series 
of  tableaux  followed,  in  which  the  Orgy  reclined  on  cushions,  backed 
by  a painting,  first  of  the  Pyramids,  then  of  the  Taj-Mahal,  and 
finally,  New  York  as  seen  from  a roof  garden*  Such,  I could  only 
suppose,  was  the  track  of  her  career  of  guilty  splendour*  Finally, 
with  a view  of  minarets  and  domes  to  inspire  her,  a sort  of  Omar, 
who'd  decided  by  now  that  any  wilderness  would  be  happier  without 
her,  stood  behind  her  with  a scimitar*  The  light  changed  to  green, 
and  she  was  seen  lying,  with  plenty  of  blood  about,  while  a sort  of 
giant  bat  flapped  gauzy  wings  above  her*  It  was  quite  horrid  enough, 
and  the  two  ladies  went  away  more  self-satisfied  than  ever*  Such 
never  should  be  their  history*  * * * 

Outside,  I met  a large  South  African  sailor  of  my  acquaintance, 
and  we  all  went  home  to  supper,  as  it  was  quite  half-past  six*  They 
ate  cold  mutton,  cucumber,  tomatoes,  cress,  bread  and  cheese,  and 
drank  tea;  and  behaved  with  a petrifying  politeness*  It  was  the 
dining-room  which  overawed  them,  and  the  superfluity  of  cutlery, 
and  the  foolishly  small  cups*  However,  they  ate  with  appetite* 

At  7*30  we  sallied  forth  once  more,  and  the  South  African  took 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


138 

charge  of  the  carriage*  Our  progress  waxed  tumultuous*  He 
whistled  like  a steam  engine,  and  the  carriage  became  a tank  which 
hurled  the  crowd  right  and  left,  relentlessly*  In  fact,  all  my  time 
was  henceforward  occupied  in  steadying  the  situation*  A long 
column  formed  itself  behind  us,  of  persons  who  found  that  thus  at 
last  they  could  move  with  sufficient  speed  through  the  packed 
throng*  Truculent  small  boys  accompanied  us,  yelling;  hundreds 
of  people  must  have  been  bruised  black  and  blue  by  our  impact — 
for  it  was  a rule  of  the  Fair  that  you  should  advance  with  a crab- 
like motion,  sidling  along  and  looking  anywhere  save  before  you* 
But  still,  tempers  were  perfect,  even  when  white  shoes  and  stockings 
were  blackened  by  our  wheels;  everyone  tickled  Carter  with  their 
whisks;  he  retaliated;  powder  flew  about;  Providence  arranged  that 
none  fell  on  myself*  The  truculence  of  small  boys;  the  insolence  of 
fourteen-year-olds;  the  elegance  of  youths;  the  seething  hordes  of 
girls;  the  impermeability  of  middle  age,  all  were  alike  defeated  by 
the  South  African*  Admirably  he  adapted  himself  to  each  category; 
the  truculent  infants  adored  his  bluff,  obliterative  methods;  the 
rowdies  became  green  with  fright  when  he  turned  on  them  with 
snarl  and  snap  and  roar;  he  took  the  elegants  into  his  confidence; 
he  leered  the  girls  into  squealing  ecstasy;  his  Sirs  and  Ma'ams  en- 
deared him  to  pyramidical  respectability*  Throughout,  his  tact,  his 
temper,  his  care  for  Carter,  his  thoughtfulness  for  me,  were  exquisite; 
and  towards  half-past  nine  I despatched  him  to  finish  the  day  on 
his  own*  With  a wild  whoop  he  disappeared* 

Suddenly,  too,  disappeared  the  violent  glare;  silenced,  the  angry 
uproar  of  the  music,  the  hoarse  braying  of  the  throng,  as  we  turned 
into  a side-street  of  old  Wilchurch,  on  our  way  home*  For  a while 
the  cathedral  towers  stood  up,  black  this  side,  red  that,  a dusky 
sinister  red,  where  the  Fair  shone  against  them*  But  them  we 
passed;  and  between  old  gabled  houses,  with  only  here  and  there  a 
yellow  square  or  red  of  lamp-light  in  their  blackness,  we  went  down 
to  the  East  Bridge*  You  could  just  hear  the  swirl  of  the  water 
between  the  arches ; the  river  poured  forward  from  a tunnel  of  trees, 
and  on  between  wide  meadows  where  faint  mist  lay*  An  enormous 
sky  spread  over  us,  moonless,  but  full  of  stars* 

Afterwards  the  road,  too,  passed  beneath  trees,  and  in  the  darkness 
he  asked  me  if  I'd  enjoyed  myself*  I judged  by  his  voice  that  I'd 
not  spoil  his  day  for  him  if  I answered, 44  So  so*" 

44  Thought  as  much,"  said  he*  “ You'll  be  a bit  tired,  anyway* 
But  you'll  soon  be  seeing  your  friend*" 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES  139 

44  Well/'  I said, 44  the  thought  of  him  isn't  adding  to  my  enjoyment 
at  this  moment," 

44  No  ?"  he  asked,  44  Reckoned  you  was  worrying  about  what 
we  was  saying  durin'  tea," 

44  It  depressed  me/'  I said. 

44  I'm  glad  you  knows  about  me  an'  my  trouble/'  he  said,  in  a 
humble  sort  of  voice.  He  was  feeling  himself  not  much  of  a man 
in  the  world,  just  then;  a broken  man,  with  a wife  who'd  reckoned 
him  not  worth  her  loyalty,  44  No  one  else  in  the  hospital  knows  on 
it,"  he  said,  44  Ethel  Bennett,  she  had  to  be  told,  seein'  she'll  be 
writin'  to  Hanton  about  meetin'  me.  Queer,  ain't  it,  runn in'  up 
against  her  ?" 

44  Well,  Tom,  if  you  like  to  count  me  a friend,  do.  We've 
scarcely  met  except  to-day;  but  I expect  you  feel  a bit  lonely  in 
hospital  at  times,  and  it's  pleasant  to  have  something  reliable." 

44  Lonely  1"  he  said.  44  Reliable.  . . 

There  was  a long  silence, 

44  Reckon  there'd  be  nothing  wrong  in  me  marryin'  Ethel  Bennett 
when  I'm  well,  if  she'll  have  me  ?"  he  said  suddenly. 

I felt  very  desperate,  I didn't  know  how  to  start, 

44  Listen,"  I said,  at  last,  44  It'll  be  a long  time  before  you're 
well  enough  to  think  of  marrying  Ethel,  or  anyone  else.  However 
much  you  occupy  yourself  with  dreams  of  doing  so,  and  of  a home 
and  a future,  you'll  be  bound  to  go  through  hours  of  pain  and 
despondency  when  you'll  be  the  worse  for  your  dreams.  Couldn't 
you  occupy  yourself  entirely  with  doing  good  turns  right  now,  giving 
a good  time  to  the  lads  as  far  as  you  can  manage  it,  and  leave  the 
future  to  take  care  of  itself  ? Perhaps  one  never  gets  much  out  of 
life  except  chances  of  serving." 

44  I bin  selfish  during  the  war,"  he  said,  44  I thought  of  nothing 
save  the  good  time  I'd  have  in  me  home  when  I returned.  I was 
seein'  meself  all  the  while,  comfortable,  and  in  me  little  nest;  an' 
now  look  at  me." 

44  Tom,"  said  1, 44  I'll  risk  saying  it  wasn't  all  selfish.  You  didn't 
just  expect  that  your  wife  would  live  as  she  should,  and  keep  things 
warm  for  you,  and,  meanwhile,  do  just  as  you  pleased  yourself  ?" 

44  Never  once,"  said  he,  trying  to  look  round.  44  I ain't  bin  no 
saint;  but  never  once  since  me  marriage.  Always  turned  me 
thoughts  away  to  me  'ome  and  me  wife  an'  kiddies.  And  now 
look  1" 

44  Never  regret  it ! Never  slack  off  in  your  mind ♦ You  had  a 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


140 

splendid  principle  there*  You  believed  in  your  obligation*  And 
also  that  God  was  approving  of  it,  Tom  ♦ * ♦ ?" 

44  How  shouldn't  He  ? Reckon  God  prefers  'em  straight*  But 
I don't  suppose  'E'd  mind,  or,  anyways,  Christ  wouldn't,  if  I 
married  Ethel  Bennett*" 

" Well,  wish  to  do  only  what  They'd  approve*" 

44  I wish  I was  a kiddie  again,"  said  he*  44  Very  happy  'twas* 
Queer,  life;  ain't  it  ?" 

But  the  indescribably  solemn  space  of  starlit  night  was  over,  and 
the  fragrance  and  the  silence* 

The  long  lines  of  hospital  lights  twinkled  in  the  distance,  and  in 
a few  minutes  we  had  turned  down  the  asphalt  path  and  entered  the 
long,  pale  corridor*  Carter's  excitement  bubbled  up,  now,  within 
him;  the  carriage  advanced  into  the  ward,  he  all  powdery,  waving 
his  whisk,  and  exclaiming  that  he'd  had  the  time  of  his  life*  Kindly 
eyes  twinkled  at  him  from  all  round  the  room,  flooded  with  the  hard 
electric  light;  cheers  and  chaff  greeted  him;  one  or  two  other  men 
had  gone  down;  all  had  had  their  fortunes  told;  all  took  them  with 
utmost  seriousness,  somewhat  disturbed  to  find  that  the  flattering 
44  You  can  be  Led,  but  not  Driven  " had  been  said  to  each,  and  to 
each  that  he  was  44  passionately  fond  of  music*"  To  all  had  been 
promised  health  and  wealth*  All,  once  more,  were  flattered  to  find 
that  they  were  Rather  Wild,  but  Loyal  to  their  Friends*  * * * 

I left  them  discussing  it,  ran  for  my  'bus,  and  rattled  down  to 
Wilchurch* 

The  Corporal  was  standing  in  the  door  of  his  van,  behind  the 
roundabout*  He  was  once  more  in  breeches  and  shirt,  and  didn't 
remove  his  pipe,  nor  smile,  when  he  saw  me*  He  just  nodded* 

44  Tired  ?"  said  I,  climbing  the  little  ladder* 

But  I was  amazed  at  the  interior  of  the  van*  It  was  small,  of 
course,  and  even  so  comprised  two  cabins,  so  to  say,  at  each  end, 
leaving  a tiny  square  room  in  the  middle*  But  the  furniture  of  it  ! 
The  sheer  luxury  ! Let  alone  the  miniature  range,  the  dresser,  and 
the  lockers — the  sheer  ornamentation ! Lamp  brackets,  with 
dangling  glass  pendants,  projected  on  each  side  of  a dummy  mantel- 
piece; silver  cups — won  Heaven  knows  by  whom,  possibly  by  the 
Corporal  himself,  in  the  days  of  army  sports;  possibly,  I was  ready 
to  surmise,  by  the  Gondolas  or  even  the  van*  A gramophone;  a 
canary;  sheaves  of  calico  flowers,  looking-glasses  everywhere,  every- 
where, everywhere  photographs — the  Corporal,  Kitchener,  the  King; 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  141 

Carpentier,  lots  of  ladies,  and,  disconcerting  touch  ! myself,  black 
and  cassocked. 

44  Frank/"  I cried,  44  what  a magpie  you  are  ! I thought  you"d 
given  up  all  this  sort  of  thing  since  you  came  out  of  hospital/" 

44  "Ave  to  feel  homey,  ain"t  I ?""  said  he,  gruffly,  and  dropped  the 
subject.  I"d  thought  he"d  have  been  pleased,  and  I felt  snubbed. 

A man  covered  with  black  oil  and  an  even  grimier  boy  were  sitting 
at  a table  on  which  mysterious  dishes,  chiefly  of  tinned  food,  reposed 
among  stout-bottles. 

Frank  introduced  me  as  the  reverend  gent  wot  done  the  kindly 
to  him  in  "ospital,  and  they  extended  friendly  hands.  They  were 
Frank"s  satellites,  and  worked  the  roundabout. 

44  Mr*  Newnes  says  as  "ow  you  wouldn"t  be  above  sharin"  a bit  o' 
somethin",""  said  the  man.  “ But  I warns  you  it  ain"t  gentlemen"s 
food."" 

44  He  eats,""  said  Frank,  grimly,  “ hanythink."" 

44  What  I want  is  a drink,""  said  I.  “ I"m  done  in  after  that  spinal 
carriage  and  I can"t  eat  much,  Frank;  but  I"m  sure  you  can  make 
some  tea  ?"" 

“ Huh  !""  said  he.  “ Wot"s  comin"  to  you  ? Tea  ? Time 
was  . . . "" 

44  Possibly,""  said  I,  “ but,  Mr.  Beeton,  don"t  you  agree  that  there "s 
nothing  so  quenching  to  a thirst  as  tea  when  you"re  hot  and  tired  ?"r 

“ There"s  them  as  will  "ave  it  so,""  he  answered,  glumly,  and 
instantly  shoved  the  boy  very  hard  with  his  elbow.  For  that  youth 
had  suddenly  grinned  very  wide,  and  ejaculated: 

44  "Ow  should  "e  know  ?"" 

On  being  shoved,  he  said,  “ "Ere  !""  but  nothing  else  whatsoever 
the  entire  evening. 

However,  I afterwards  devoured  two  sausages  and  drank  about 
eight  cups  of  tea. 

“ Done  good  business  ?""  I asked. 

“ Reckon  this  Fair  ain"t  wot  it  was.  Comes  here  reg"lar,  don"t 
it  ?""  he  asked. 

44  Nobody  knows  how  many  hundreds  of  years.  Before  even  I 
was  born,  Frank.""  For  I was  feeling  millions  of  years  old,  just 
then,  and  everything  seemed  to  have  been  happening  over  and 
over  again  in  exactly  the  same  way,  and  as  though  it  always  would. 

I tried  to  tell  myself  this  was  just  fatigue,  but  the  impression  came 
from  within  the  little  room.  . . . 

44  But  this  old  town  ain"t  that  old  ? This  street  ain"t,  anyways."" 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


142 

“ No*  But  the  tower  of  the  church  at  this  end  is  900  years  old, 
and  that's  not  bad;  and  there  was  a church  where  the  one  at  the 
other  end  is  now,  ages  before  that  one  was  built,  and  it  dates  from 
the  Middle  Ages*  All  between  was  a field  till  a hundred  years  since, 
and  that's  where  the  fairs  settled*" 

44  Queer  to  think  on,"  said  he,  rather  depressed* 

44  And  for  hundreds  of  years  at  least,  much  the  same  amusements 
— roundabouts,  anyway;  pulled  round  by  a couple  of  cart  horses; 
before  steam,  you  know*  And  a fiddle  for  the  music*  And  swings, 
and  coker-nut  shies,  and  rifle  ranges — you  potted  at  Napoleon  or — 
well,  whoever  was  the  villain  of  the  moment;  and  lots  of  fighting- 
booths;  and,  of  course,  dancing*  * * * My  dear  Frank,  we're 
terribly  respectable,  nowadays  ! Shut  down  at  10 — no  dancing, 
no  fighting,  and  no  singing  worth  alluding  to*  * * * And  yet,  a bit 
nastier,  some  of  it*" 

Frank,  you  will  have  gathered,  had  an  imagination* 

“ A hundred  years,"  said  he,  44  an'  swings  an'  roundabouts  same 
as  to-day*  * * ♦ Ain't  that  remarkable*  Up  an'  down,  an'  round 
an'  round*  Round  and  round*  Never  no  forrarder*  Wot  else  is 
life  ? Wot  else  is  ruddy  life  ? nor  yet  the  world*  An'  arsk  a man 
to  set  'imself  agin  that  an'  wish  to  alter  things  ? Not  'arf*  Not 
me*  Not  Mr*  Francis  Newnes*  Round  an*  round*" 

44  When  'e  gits  like  that,"  said  Mr*  Beeton,  44  we  'ops  it*  Hp  1" 
ejaculated  he,  seizing  the  grinning  Alfred  by  the  ear* 

But  exactly  at  that  moment  the  door  half  opened  and  a female 
voice  shouted,  44  Come  on,  kid  !" 

The  Corporal  turned  with  a roar  that  sent  my  heart  jumping* 

44  Stuff  yer  stocking  down  yer  throat,"  he  shouted,  44  an'  finish 
yer  noise  !" 

44  Cornin',  missus,"  said  Mr*  Beeton,  hurriedly,  and  looking  across 
at  me*  44  Me  an'  Alf  is  cornin',  cornin'  quick*" 

At  that  the  door  opened  completely,  and  a vigorous  lady,  whom 
I at  once  recognized  as  the  Oriental  Orgy,  stood  silhouetted  in  vivid 
white  and  yellow  in  the  black  doorway*  She  looked  first,  with  a 
certain  surprise,  at  the  lumbering  Mr*  Beeton,  and  then  turned,  I 
judged,  to  make  some  observations  to  the  Corporal*  On  seeing  me, 
she  paused;  and  then  smiled  down  at  me  contemptuously  from  the 
height  of  her  superb  and  florid  health* 

44  'Ullo,"  said  she,  to  Frank*  44  Got  a friend,  'ave  you  ?" 

She  compared  me  rapidly  with  the  photograph,  absorbed  the 
situation  and  then  said: 


143 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  Good-night,  Mr*  Newnes*  Keep  good*" 

And  she  disappeared* 

The  Corporal  was  scarlet  with  rage,  and  remained  with  his 
mouth  open,  at  a loss  for  words* 

44  Good-night  all,"  said  Mr*  Beeton,  and  tumbled  out  of  the  van* 
44  Wasn't  that  the  lady,"  I said,  44  who  performs  next  door  ? I 
shouldn't  like  that  job*  I hate  snakes*" 

He  found  his  tongue* 

44  Performs  ?"  said  he*  44  An'  a blame  fool  I was  when  I took  on 
this  'ere  performance,  makin'  a damn  show  o'  meself  hollerin'  on 
the  roundabouts  and  'er  and  'er  lousy  snakes  thrown  in  along  with  it 
by  old  Smarle,  that's  'er  father,  wot  owns  the  lot  an'  dragged  me 
into  it  when  I couldn't  rightly  'elp  meself,  'avin'  no  job  at  the  time 
an'  reckoning  to  do  well  on  the  roundabout*  'Ow  could  I 'elp 
meself  ? 'Ad  to  live;  leastways  I don't  see  why,  but  live  one  some- 
'ow  does  an'  will  do,  a revolver  bein'  a fool's  way  out,  I reckon;  yes, 
I never  arsk  to  live  nor  yet  to  be  born,  but  take  the  sneak's  way  out 
of  it,  that  I never  will*  An'  bound  'and  an'  foot,  I am,  by  the  agree- 
ment, an'  'e  knows  it,  an'  that's  wot  I say,  round  an ' round,  an'  once 
you're  on,  if  the  darn  thing  don't  stop,  no  more  do  you  not  stop, 
unless  you  chuck  yerself  off*"  He  pulled  himself  together  a little 
and  indicated  the  disposition  of  the  van*  44  That's  where  I sleeps," 
said  he,  pointing  with  his  thumb  at  the  fore  cabin,  but  staring  at  the 
floor*  44  An'  old  Beeton  an'  the  lad  they  doubles  up  in  'tother;  an 
as  for  Nellie  Smarle,  she  'as  her  tent  an'  van  neighbourin',  an'  comin 
in  'ere  at  this  hour  o'  night  to  git  me  to  go  an'  clean  up  for  'er  an' 
prepare  the  lightin'  for  to-morrow,  it's  the  limit*  If  it  wasn't  for  old 
Beeton  an'  young  Alf,  that's  wot  I'd  be  doin';  slavin'  for  Mistress 
Nellie*  Round  an*  round*  Can't  get  off  it*" 

44  Well,  old  son,"  said  1, 44  all  the  more  reason  for  your  turning  in 
now*  I must,  too*  See  you  to-morrow*  Good-night*  * * *" 

He  looked  at  me,  paused,  and  then  said  good-night  and  sat  down 
again,  staring  at  the  table* 

I climbed  down  the  ladder,  turned,  and  very  nearly  tripped 
over  Beeton  and  Alf,  who  were  sitting  smoking  on  the  end  of 
the  van* 

44  Finished  already  ?"  said  I*  They  looked  at  one  another  and 
then  mumbled  something*  We  said  good-night,  and  I advanced 
into  the  open  space  down  the  middle  of  the  Fair*  I hadn't  gone 
twenty  yards  before  I heard  his  hurried  steps* 

44  I've  bin  lyin'  to  you,"  he  said,  taking  me  hard  by  the  elbow* 


144  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  I know,  kid,”  said  I,  disengaging  myself  and  putting  my  arm 
through  his. 

“ It  ain't  no  good/'  he  said,  and  sighed. 

44  What  isn't  ?" 

44  Lyin'  to  you." 

But  we  were  now  opposite  our  house. 

44  You'd  better  come  in  for  a minute,"  I said.  44  We  can't  talk 
here." 

He  came,  docile,  unable  to  think  much,  and  doing  as  he  was 
told. 

I stood  him  with  his  back  to  the  mantelpiece  and  then  placed 
myself  in  front  of  him  with  my  hands  on  his  shoulders.  He  kept 
his  head  a little  sideways,  eyes  on  the  ground. 

44  It  wasn't  really  a lie.  You  didn't  expect  me  not  to  understand 
you,  and  you  didn't  want  me  not  to." 

44  Now  I'll  swear  that's  the  truth,"  he  said,  looking  up  and  staring 
at  me ; but  his  eyes  were  bloodshot.  44  When  I hear  we're  cornin' 
to  Wilchurch,  I says  to  meself,  * Now  Gawd  'elp  us,  for  I can't  but 
meet  'im.  Meet  'im  for  sure  I must,  seein'  as  it's  a cert  'e'll  bring 
'ospital  cases  to  the  Fair.'  Meet  you  I must,  an'  wot 'll  I say  to  you  ? 
Even  if  you  notices  nothink,  I'm  not  goin'  to  act  no  lie  to  you,  let 
alone  tell  you  none.  An'  I says  deliberate,  * Tell  'im  straight  out 
I will,  an'  not  shirk  it.  'E's  got  'is  religion,  an'  it  ain't  mine;  an' 
I've  got  my  opinions,  an'  they  ain't  'is,  an'  livin'  accordin'  to  'em 
I am,  an'  will;  an'  tell  'im  straight  out  I will,  honest;  an'  why  not  ? 
That's  my  philosophy  of  nature,  that  is.  I'm  livin'  natural,  I am, 
an'  let  'im  'ave  it  straight  I will.'  " 

44  Well,  why  didn't  you  ?" 

44  Couldn't.  Fair  couldn't.  Why  ? Dunno." 

44  I'll  tell  you.  Because  you  didn't  believe  your  own  philosophy, 
old  philosopher  ! It's  not  your  opinion  that  it's  all  all  right." 

44  It  is  my  opinion,"  he  said,  jaw  set. 

44  Is  it  ? Was  it,  even  when  I saw  you  in  London  ? Was  it  the 
evening  we  all  went  out  on  the  river — Hallinan,  and  Sergeant,  and 
you  and  I ?" 

44  Now  you're  torturin'  me,"  he  said. 

44  You  said  you'd  bruise  no  more  souls  . ♦ ♦ you're  bruising  hers 
— yes  you  are — and  your  own." 

The  veins  of  his  forehead  swelled  thick;  his  lips  quivered  like  a 
child's. 

I sat  down  on  my  bed  and  pulled  him  down  in  front  of  me.  He 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


145 

put  his  elbows  on  my  knees  and  his  head  down  between  his  clenched 
fists. 

44  Cry,  old  boy/"  I said. 

He  was  silent.  I adored  God  in  his  heart,  and  waited. 

Suddenly  he  said, 44  Can't/'  and  was  silent  again. 

Then  he  looked  up. 

44  Mind  you,"  he  said, 44  it's  you . It's  you  every  time  that  I minds 
about.  It  ain't  God.  Don't  you  go  thinkin'  it.  It  ain't  God. 
Nor  yet  it  ain't  Christ.  Don't  you  think  it.  I knew  it'd  make  you 
desp'rate;  but  I thought  I'd  bluff  it  out,  an'  I'd  kid  meself  into 
thinkin'  you'd  take  it  sportin',  sayin'  as  it  were  my  instinct  an'  not 
'avin'  no  religion,  well,  why  not  ? But  it's  no  go." 

He  sprang  up,  furious. 

44  Good  enough,"  he  said.  44  I'm  through  with  you.  Fini ! I 
don't  want  no  more  o'  you.  You've  been  a gentleman  to  me,  but 
we'll  never  think  the  same,  an'  I'll  never  do  different.  I knows 
meself.  Let  me  out.  I want  to  go  'ome.  Better  never  see  you 
no  more.  You're  failed  with  me.  You  make  me  mad.  I'll  make 
me  own  life,  damn  it." 

We  went  downstairs. 

I felt  it  might  be  the  last  chance.  Two  minutes — but  who  could 
tell?  I said: 

44  You  must  let  me  walk  back  to  the  van  with  you,  Frank." 

44  Please  yerself,"  said  he,  airily. 

He  sighed  in  a shuddering  short  of  way  once,  but  didn't  speak 
again. 

At  the  tent  I said  good-night,  and  held  out  my  hand. 

44  Night-night,"  said  he,  but  didn't  take  it. 

It  was  just  one  o'clock.  From  the  two  churches  at  either  end  of 
the  Fair,  ancient  bells  tolled;  and  from  all  over  the  old  town,  solemn 
music  echoed.  The  vans  and  the  roundabouts  stood  bleached  in 
the  starlight,  which  was  keen.  They  all  looked  dead.  They  might 
have  been  the  Fair  of  centuries  ago.  Life  repeated  itself,  and 
Death,  an  endless  duel;  and  time  tolled  itself  out. 


10 


Chapter  XV 

NEXT  day,  for  all  I know,  I played  the  coward*  But  I felt 
that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  go  near  the  Corporal  again  for 
a while*  I felt  I might  drive  him  desperate  and  make  the 
separation  permanent,  for  just  now  he  hated  me*  So  I went  round 
directly  after  lunch  to  the  Sergeant,  and  told  him,  in  outline,  what 
had  happened*  I suggested  he  might  try  going  to  the  Gondolas 
himself  and  getting  into  conversation,  and  then  come  round  to  me* 
He  came,  in  fact,  as  early  as  three  o'clock,  which  I took  to  be  a 
bad  omen,  and  when  I saw  his  worried  face  I knew  that  things 
hadn't  gone  well* 

44  What  happened  ?"  I asked* 

He  shook  his  head* 

44  No  go,"  said  he* 

“ What  did  you  do  ?" 

44  I went  to  his  merry-go-round,"  he  said,  44  and  the  moment  I 
saw  him  I knew  there'd  be  nothing  doing*  He  wasn't  drunk,  I 
think,  but  he'd  certainly  been  drinking.  Father,  and  his  face  was 
fixed-like*  And  he  wasn't  doing  business*  Don't  know  why* 
Perhaps  that  sort  of  jerk  in  the  machinery  was  too  much  for  'em; 
they'd  stand  there  and  look  on  and  scream  when  the  boats  went 
jerking  back,  you  know,  but  then  they'd  go  along  and  try  the 
ordinary  ones*  But  somehow  I think  it  was  more  than  that*  More 
like  the  way  he  shouted  at  them*  Real  angry,  he  was*  Shouting 
in  an  insulting  kind  of  way,  and,  of  course,  they  don't  like  that* 
Wouldn't  try  it*  Well,  I went  and  stood  immediately  beneath  him, 
and  I'm  dead  certain  he  saw  me,  because  he  stiffened  up,  sort  of; 
his  face  went  all  stiff  and  he  broke  off  yelling  for  a moment;  but  he 
didn't  let  on,  but  started  yelling  again.  Then  I profited  by  his 
stopping  to  take  breath,  and  4 Hullo,  Corp  !'  I cried*  But  he 
wouldn't  take  any  notice*  Then  I shout  out,  4 Hullo,  Corporal 
Newnes  1 How  goes  it  ?'  He  had  to  notice  that,  and  he  cries  out, 
4 Alludin'  to  me.  Captain  ? Some  mistake*  I ain't  no  Corporal/ 
4 No,  but  you  was,'  I said, 4 don't  you  remember  Ward  B III*  in  the 

146 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  147 

old  hospital  ?'  4 Stow  it/  he  says.  4 I never  ain't  bin  in  no  'ospital; 
so  get  on  in  the  Gondolas  an'  pay  your  threepence  and  let  me  get 
along  with  me  job.  Out  o'  the  gangway  !'  And  with  that  he  starts 
shouting  again.  So  I saw  it  was  no  go." 

44  Well,  that  sounds  pretty  hopeless,"  I said. 

44  Cheer  up.  Father,"  said  this  excellent  man.  44  If  I were  you 
I'd  go  round  to  Miss  Barbara  and  let  her  have  a try." 

44  But  I can't  send  her  alone  into  that  Fair,"  I said,  44  and  neither 
you  nor  I can  go  v/ith  her,  because  he'd  see  us  and  it  would  be  spoilt. 
Besides,  I really  couldn't  ask  her  to — well,  to  risk  being  insulted." 

44  I reckon  she'd  be  real  unhappy,  and  hurt,"  said  he,  44  if  you 
didn't  give  her  the  chance." 

44  Well,  I'll  go  round,"  I said.  44  There  may  be  a solution. 
Meanwhile,  do  be  saying  some  Hail  Mary's." 

I went,  and  the  Hail  Mary's  produced  the  solution  in  the  shape 
of  Cecil  Calthrop,  who  was  motoring  northwards  to  some  shoot  or 
other,  and  had  broken  his  journey  here  for  tea. 

I explained  the  situation,  and  Barbara,  of  course,  said  she'd  go; 
and  I confided  her  to  Cecil,  telling  him  in  his  turn  to  come  round 
and  say  how  things  had  gone. 

He  came  up  at  about  six,  very  flushed. 

44  I say,  I say,  I say  /"  he  began,  at  once.  44  That's  a nasty  job. 
My  dear  old  dear,  is  that  the  sort  of  thing  you  bring  Barbara  up 
against  several  times  a week  ? Gee,  that  girl's  some  girl;  she's  it, 
and  then  some  I She  came  along  with  me  thinking  how  you  men 
had  muddled  it  all,  and  how  her  sweet  girlish  smile'd  hit  him  where 
he  feels  he  wants  to  cry,  and  reckoning  she'd  collar  the  goods  and 
give  you  a percentage  of  the  rake-off.  And  keeping  a strangle-hold 
on  her  rosary,  though  thinking  I didn't  get  that.  But  I did.  I'm 
the  all-round  eye,  I am.  And  when  we  got  to  the  Gondolas,  I ask 
you  ! 4 Keep  out  of  sight,'  she  says  to  me.  4 I'm  the  bright 
peculiar  star  this  turn.  Spot-light  on  me,  every  time  and  all  the 
time.  You  fade  out,'  or  words  to  that  effect.  Point  was,  if  she 
failed,  I've  got  to  go  round  later  and  try  my  hand.  If  he  sees  me 
with  her,  I can't  go  again,  get  me  ? And  she  goes  on  to  the  steps 
and  she  smiles  fit  to  split  the  Pyramids,  and  your  little  friend,  he 
stops  in  the  middle  of  his  super-yell  as  if  he'd  been  shot,  and  he 
turned  purple,  and  then — gee  ! Some  will-power,  that  lad's  got. 
Pulled  himself  together,  and  when  she  holds  out  her  hand,  still 
smiling,  he  wouldn't  see  it,  but  looks  above  her  head  and  yells  at 
her;  and  damn  it,  I could  have  killed  him,"  said  he,  suddenly 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


148 

dropping  his  pose  of  the  moment*  44  Called  out  to  her  to  know  if 
she  was  lonely  and  he'd  take  her  round  himself;  called  himself  by 
his  full  name  and  title/'  said  Cecil,  reviving;  44  Corporal  Francis 
Newnes,  the  gay  lad,  the  meaty  boy  with  the  girls,  damn  him,"  said 
he  relapsing  suddenly  again,  44  and  stopped  the  whole  show  for  her 
to  climb  into  a gondola,  and  got  in  himself*  4 An'  we'll  'ave  the 
blinds  down,'  he  said*  Of  course  she  couldn't  stand  it*  Even  the 
crowd  growled  a bit,  and  told  him  to  shut  his  nasty  mouth*  She 
ran  down  the  steps  like  a hare,  and  I took  her  home  right  then*  But 
oh  ! that  girl's  pluck  ! Didn't  speak,  but  walked  with  her  head 
high,  not  angry,  I mean  not  sick  because  he'd  insulted  her  like  that, 
for  she  knew  he  knew  her;  but  because  she  wasn't  going  to  make  a 
scene  in  the  crowd*  But  just  as  she  got  to  the  house,  she  began  to 
cry*  And  she  ran  round  through  the  garden  with  her  handkerchief 
up*  And  I knew  better  than  to  follow*  My  dearest  dear  padre, 
but  what  a job  !" 

44  He's  mad,"  I said*  44  Why  on  earth  did  I risk  her  going  ?" 

44  She'd  have  hated  it  if  you  hadn't  asked  her*  D'you  think  that 
girl  minds  because  of — of  that?  It's  him  she's  thinking  of*  She 
knows  he's  got  hell's  own  torments  inside  of  him,  before  he'd  act 
like  that.” 

44  I can't  possibly  suggest  your  going  there  again." 

44  Suggest,  my  venerable  sir  ? I should  hope  not*  It'd  be  up  to 
you  to  order  if  I required  first  aid  from  you  at  all*  I'm  going  round 
at  eight,  when  it's  tuned  up  properly*  Yes,  sir ♦ And  come  round 
here  after  my  own  modest  efforts.  Me  not  go  ? I'll  go,  you  bet, 
and  go  for  it  good  !" 

44  If  you  insist,"  I said, 44  go  and  look  in  at  the  Oriental  Orgy,  too, 
and  tell  me  what  you  think." 

44  You  reprobate  !"  he  cried*  44  That's  the  bright  idea*  Who 
said  you'd  lost  'em  ?" 

44  Lost  what  ?" 

44  Brains,"  said  he;  44  grey-matter:  thinking-spark*  I'll  go  and 
captivate  the  Orgy,  and  he'll  get  jealous  and  breathe  her  the  last 
good-bye." 

44  Ah,  don't  fool,"  I said.  44  It  doesn't  admit  of  it*  Come  back 
when  you've  tried  what's  possible." 

44  Say  a prayer  for  me  between  now  and  then,"  said  he,  looking 
at  me  with  profound  eyes*  44  I'm  the  mere  machinery  in  this 
stunt." 

Towards  eleven  he  came  back,  certainly  in  a wild  state  of  excite- 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  149 

ment , and  looking  extraordinarily  dissipated*  I don't  know  how 
he  managed  it,  because  he  wore  immaculate  evening  dress;  an  opera 
hat  and  a monocle  were  the  only  unexpected  additions*  But  he 
did  look  most  amazingly  raffish* 

44  I may  as  well  say  at  once,"  said  he,  huddling  himself  into  an 
armchair,  44  that  it's  no  good*  None*" 

Then  he  said,  giving  rein  to  his  excitement,  after  that  moment's 
control : 

44  I went  to  the  Orgy  first*  Pretty  fatuous;  but  a bit  of  extra 
about  it,  somehow*  Couldn't  quite  make  out  what,  till  your  little 
pal  came  in  and  Gorgons  weren't  in  it  with  his  bright,  kindly  eyes* 
Talking  of  eyes,  she'd  been  making  goo-goo  eyes  at  me,  till  then* 
Stuck  myself  right  in  the  front,  I did;  couldn't  but  see  me;  and  I 
put  on  the  stage-box  yearn,  and  up  to  it,  she  was,  in  a flash*  And 
suddenly,  she  went  rigid.  Eyes  glued  to  a mystery  spot  behind  me* 
Worked  myself  round  gradually*  There  he  was,  by  the  side;  and 
no  more  pretty-gentleman  touch  for  me * I tell  you,  that  woman's 
a study  ! Rotten  all  through,  that's  clear;  and  got  him  under  her 
thumb,  sure  thing;  but  if  so,  he's  got  her  under  both  thumbs  and  all 
his  fingers  and  his  boots,  if  you  ask  me*  Loves  him,  she  does,  but 
goes  in  terror  of  her  life  all  day  and  night.  Oo ! Cold  shudders* 
Out  I got,  moment  the  show  switched  off*  Then  I drooped  off 
to  the  Gondolas." 

44  Well  ?" 

44  Bit  more  crowded  to-night.  Packed,  in  fact*  Crowd  rougher, 
and  relished  his  talk*  I say,  my  sainted  papa,  but  you've  got  a 
rotten  set  of  girls  in  this  old  village*  Brrr  ! And  the  lads  just  suit 
'em*  However,  I wriggle  in  to  the  steps,  and  there  I lean,  hat  well 
on  back  of  my  head,  and  looking  more  than  a bit  merry,  and  I laugh 
Har  Har  at  his  riskier  bits,  and  at  last  he  begins  to  take  notice  of  me 
and  shouts  at  me,  a bit,  and  I laugh  louder  than  ever,  and  then  I 
start  shouting,  too*  4 Dry  work,  professor,  what  ?'  I yell*  4 America's 
a drippin'  sop,  to  me,  me  lord,'  he  answers*  4 An'  the  Sahara's  a sea  o' 
syrup  to  my  throat*'  4 /'ll  take  it  on  a bit,  dear  old  scout,'  I say, 4 /'ll 
give  'em  Juicy  Joe,  I will,  trust  me,  and,  meanwhile,  you  hop  round 
to  the  Kiss-and-Run,  and  order  yourself  a quick  one,  and  put  it  down 
to  the  Honourable  Cecil  Calthrop  of  Park  Lane,  West  One*'  Yes 
— I play  that  tiny  card  when  needed  ! And  before  he  can  stop 
me  I jump  up  beside  him  and  give  him  a shove  in  the  solar-plexus, 
and  before  he  has  time  to  say  4 damn,'  I start  haranguing  the  pro- 
letariat, and  gee  ! I get  'em  every  time*  Crude,  my  eloquence,  I 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


150 

confess.  Azure-blue  my  metaphors;  search  me;  if  I know  where 
I got  it  all  from  ! You're  a bit  too  young,  papa,  to  have  me  repeat 
it.  But  roll  up  ? the  Atlantic's  a skating-rink  to  the  billows  of  that 
mob;  I worked  those  Gondolas  for  a solid  hour  and  a quarter,  and 
when  the  Fair  shut  down  I fell  fainting  into  the  arms  of  Mr.  Francis 
Newnes,  and  he  supported  me  to  the  shelter  of  his  happy  little  van 
and  gave  me  sal-volatile." 

44  Well,  you're  a genius,  Cecil;  but  I simply  can't  laugh  to-night." 

“ I know,  my  dear  old  dear,"  he  said,  and  I began  to  wish  his 
excitement  would  die  down.  44  Don't  tire  yourself  trying.  Well, 
when  I revived,  we  sat  down  to  steak  and  kidney  pie,  and  gad  ! I 
needed  it.  And  I was  heading  well  to  harbour,  for  he  was  taken  with 
me,  Mr.  Newnes  was,  and  he  was  giving  me  the  list  of  all  the  places 
the  Fair  was  to  travel  to,  and  I was  meaning  to  re-arrange  my 
autumn  engagements  in  view  of  following  him  round  a little,  and 
receiving  him  in  my  arms  when  he  gets  his  knock-out,  which  I 
reckoned  he  was  sure  of  pretty  soon,  because  that  loving  couple 
won't  last  long.  And  plonk  ! the  castle  crashes,  for  the  door  opens, 
and  in  comes  the  Orgy  herself.  Some  Orgy,  with  the  paint  off,  or 
half  off ! Brrr  ! Don't  ask  me  to  tell  you.  And  he  roars  at  her, 
oh,  horrid  ! After  all,  she's  a woman,  or  was.  And  a fine  one,  too, 
by  some  standards,  I'd  say.  But  he  tells  her  to  git,  and  she  says, 
meek,  but  angry,  can't  she  come  in  and  sit  down  a bit  and  have  a sup 
of  something,  and  he  drives  her  out,  and  I tell  you  that  old  machinery- 
man  of  his  looked  properly  ashamed  of  the  whole  proceeding,  and 
even  the  boy  showed  his  teeth.  You  never  saw  such  a change  in 
Mr.  Newnes  ! Quite  affable,  though  too  damned  familiar  a minute 
before;  but  now — whew  ! Face  red,  eyes  red,  cheeks  all  swollen, 
veins  right  out  on  his  forehead  ! Mon  Dieu , how  he  hates  her.  And 
when  she's  gone,  he  sweeps  the  plates  off  the  table — crash  1 And 
he  turns  on  me  and  tells  me  to  take  myself  off.  Says  he  saw  .me  at 
the  Orgy  show.  Says  I'm  after  his  woman.  Says  he  knows  my 
sort.  Takes  a handful  of  coins  and  chucks  'em  at  me.  Says  he 
wouldn't  have  my  earnings  in  his  pockets  not  if  they  were  millions. 
Well,  I try  to  argue  a bit,  and  pacify  him;  no  good;  tells  me  he'll 
chuck  me  out  if  I don't  go.  And  what  could  I do,  with  his  game 
leg  and  he  as  drunk  as  a lord;  that's  what  he  was  by  then.  Reckon 
the  liquor  bit  suddenly.  I'd  have  boxed  him  easily,  sober,  and  with 

both  legs  working,  but  as  it  was " he  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

44  Out  I slunk,  and  here  I am.  Failed,  Father,  I'm  afraid.  If  I'd 
had  more  grace  in  me,  I'd  have  won.  As  it  is  . . ."  He  shrugged 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


151 

his  shoulders  again,  and  all  his  excitement  was  gone  so  completely 
that  you  couldn't  have  imagined  it  ever  had  existed. 

“ Well/'  I said,  “ then  we'll  just  leave  it  all  to  God." 

44  I wish  we'd  left  it  there  a bit  more  from  the  outset,"  he  said* 
44  I expect  I trusted  to  my  method.  Thought  I'd  be  bound  to  get 
home  on  it.  My  God  ! D'you  think  I've  mucked  the  whole 
business  ? But  I had  to  get  into  contact,  somehow.  But  mark 
you  ! I was  enjoying  it.  I was  selfish.  I always  am.  I'm  the 
most  selfish  little  beast  in  England.  Oh,  but  I wanted  to  say,  I 
didn't  overstep  the  line  when  I was  fooling  around  that  Orgy,  you 
know.  She  did  all  the  eye-play." 

“ Of  course.  Don't  be  ridiculous." 

44  Yes.  But  I wanted  you  to  be  sure  that  there  was  no  positive 
taint  that  I could  have  helped,  that  interfered  with  God's  grace." 

44  Cecil,  the  awful  puzzle  is  this.  It's  really  I who've  driven  him 
desperate.  Suppose  I'd  said  from  the  outset  that  it  all  didn't 
matter  much;  after  all,  he's  got  entangled,  but  he'll  shake  loose  again; 
and  nearly  all  the  world  would  think  me  every  kind  of  a fool  for 
making  a fuss  about  so  ordinary  a thing  as  him  and  her — well, 
suppose  I'd  just  been  easy-going — and,  well,  he's  not  a Catholic, 
he  hasn't  the  Catholic  conscience — all  these  scenes  wouldn't  have 
happened.  Poor  old  Sergeant  Raikes  wouldn't  have  got  that  public 
snub — and  he's  got  his  pride,  you  know,  and  feelings — he  liked  the 
Corporal  up  to  a point;  and,  of  course,  he's  upset  because  he  thinks 
1 am;  and  as  for  Barbara  ! I go  hot  and  cold  when  I reflect  on  that 
incident.  And  now  you." 

44  My  dear  Father,"  he  said,  looking  at  me  quickly,  and  then 
turning  away  again.  44  Excuse  me,  but  you're  wrong  there.  He'd 
have  been  heart-broken  if  you'd  been  easy-going.  The  Christian 
ideal  is  the  one  beautiful  and  noble  thing  in  life  for  him;  and  if  you'd 
demolished  it — well,  he'd  have  lost  all  belief  in  anything  and  every- 
one, and  in  you;  and  you'd  never  have  been  able  to  help  him  again, 
ever.  Yes,  heart-broken  he'd  have  been.  He  loves  you;  and  to 
see  you  climb  down  would  have  been  the  end  of  the  world  for  him. 
You're  the  only  person  who  in  any  way  is  offering  to  him  what  he's 
sickening  for." 

44  But  what  are  we  to  do  ?" 

“ Not  despair,  anyway.  You  might  have,  if  he'd  been  cheery 
with  the  Sergeant  and  polite  to  Barbara,  and  unchanged  to  you. 
Though  even  then  you  needn't  have.  God  gets  the  better  even  of 
the  cynic;  even  of  the  corrupt." 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


152 

He  remained  looking  steadily  before  him,  his  clean-cut  profile 
really  beautiful,  just  then*  The  two  little  vertical  lines  graven  close 
either  side  of  his  mouth  were  deeper,  just  now*  Fm  quite  sure  they 
positively,  as  a rule,  annoyed  him*  He  always  protested  they  were 
due  to  dissipated  living;  really,  they  meant  an  almost  terrible  self- 
schooling* 

“ Will  He  get  the  better  of  him  ?"  I asked* 

“ How  can  I tell  ?"  he  muttered*  44  Fm  a kid*  Fm  a clumsy 
inexperienced  hobbledehoy*  Fve  only  just  left  school*  * * ♦ But 
I will  tell  you  what's  happened  hitherto,  and  I bet  Fm  right*  I bet 
she  saw  him  somewhere  when  he  was  down  and  out,  after  his  shop 
went  bust*  And  I bet  she  went  crazy  on  him;  that  sort  of  woman 
does,  especially  when  she's  getting  middle-aged*  And  as  for  her, 
she'd  be  middle-aged  quite  young*  Well,  that  wiry,  hungry,  know- 
ing type's  what'd  get  her*  She'd  go  crazy*  And  she'd  rope  him 
into  her  show,  and  sooner  than  starve,  he'd  come;  and — well,  after 
that  spell  of  self-repression  you  told  me  about — trading  on  his  own 
will-power,  and  with  no  motive  except  to  defy  you — prove  you 
wrong  in  what  you'd  be  bound  to  think  of  him — he'd  experience 
some  sort  of  spell  himself,  at  least,  as  long  as  her  first  mad  adoration 
lasted;  and  each  of  'em  would  be  boss  in  their  own  way;  only,  when 
he  began  to  realize  how  thoroughly  she  was  financial  boss,  and 
when  she  began  to  play  the  tyrant,  the  spell  would  wane;  he  can't 
get  away,  and  he's  furious  at  having  to  stay;  he  still  loves  a little,  but 
he  hates  more  ; and,  my  God,  if  he  doesn't  break  away  soon,  I 
wouldn't  answer  for  her  neck*  But  he  believes;  he's  fighting  a losing 
battle  against  Faith*" 

44  He  mentioned  a Mr*  Smarle  who,  I understood,  was  boss*" 

44  Mr*  'Arris,"  said  he,  44  there  ain't  no  sich  a person*" 

“ My  dear  psychologist,"  I said,  “ please  God  you're  right;  and 
again,  please  God  you  mayn't  be*  I don't  know  I Anyhow,  human 
methods  aren't  going  to  help  us  now  at  all,  I think*  We've  reached 
the  limit*" 

44  They  aren't  ?"  he  said,  springing  to  his  feet*  44  You  really 
think  so  ? Then  that's  great ! Because  we  can  go  straight  to  God* 
How  I envy  people,  who  always  can  1 Look  at  Barbara*" 

44  Does  she  ?" 

“ She'll  be  able  to,  directly  she's  a Carmelite*" 

44  What  have  you  been  talking  about,  you  two  ?" 

“ We  haven't  been*  But  don't  tell  me  you  don't  see  it  for  your- 
self* She  can  use  all  the  human  little  ways — Gad  1 can't  she  though  1 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES  153 

— but  she  needn't,  I don't  believe  she's  being  asked  to,  I believe 
her  soul's  meant  to  burn  straight  away  into  God,  and  then  to  come 
back  and  blaze  in  other  souls.  Let  her  go  quick,  padre,  I want 
to  have  her  praying  for  me  in  Carmel," 

44  I may  as  well  tell  you,"  said  I,  44  that  I think  it'll  be  the  Poor 
Clares,  Don't  speak  about  it.  She's  just  mentioned  it," 

He  looked  graver  still, 

44  Ah  1 The  Poor  Clares,"  he  said,  44  If  she  can  be  that  , , ," 
Then  he  got  up, 

44  I'd  like  to  go  to  confession.  Father,  please,  I wish  I'd  looked 
in  and  gone  before  starting  on  that  job.  Can't  be  too  clean  for  that 
work.  Give  me  a minute  or  two," 

In  reality  he  was  always  ready;  but  he  knelt,  for  a while,  behind 
me,  and  then  the  blood  of  Christ  stole  through  the  intricate  re- 
cesses of  his  soul. 

Then  he  said,  “ I suppose  I can  come  to  Mass  here  to-morrow  ? 
I'd  better  be  off  now,  I billeted  myself  at  the  Travers'  and  the 
Sergeant'll  be  sitting  up  to  let  me  in.  He  has  to  be  up  early,  and 
so'll  I,  if  I have  to  come  round  here.  Or  wait,  I'd  better  go  with 
Barbara," 

44  I can  go  across  directly  I get  up,"  I said, 44  and  ask  leave  to  say 
my  Mass  at  the  church.  Eight,  I'd  like  to  give  Communion  to  the 
two  of  you," 

44  Fine,"  he  said,  “ Oh,  and  cheer  up  ! I've  got  a couple  of 
instructees  for  you,  and  p'raps  three.  One's  a perfectly  gorgeous 
book-maker;  met  him  at  an  oyster  bar  at  Ostend;  keen  as  mustard. 
Then  there's  a budding  diplomat;  needs  to  be  pulled  together  a bit; 
very  gilded;  rather  an  ass,  but  I think  he'll  come  along.  And  the 
other  cert  is  my  mother's  maid's  young  man.  She's — well — she's 
rather — well,  you  know  French  maids.  But  once  he's  in,  he'll 
straighten  her  up  a bit.  Blessing,  please," 

He  dropped  down  on  his  knees  again,  and  I gave  him  my  blessing 
and  asked  his  prayers. 


Chapter  XVI 

IN  October  Mr*  Travers  caught  influenza,  and  didn't  seem 
likely  to  recover*  Under  the  strain  Barbara  began  to  feel  she 
wasn't  being  honest  if  she  didn't  clear  up  the  situation,  and  she 
wrote  to  Reggie  to  tell  him  that  should  her  father  die  she  meant  to 
be  a nun*  She  told  me  this,  and  also  that  she  was  sure  Reggie  would 
realize  she  wanted  it  conveyed  to  Geoffrey  Blake*  To  Geoffrey  she 
couldn't  write,  of  course;  because,  after  all,  he  hadn't  yet  asked  her 
definitely  to  marry  him*  In  this  way  she  displayed  not  only,  I con- 
sidered, a great  faith  in  God,  but  a remarkable  trust  in  the  nobility 
of  those  two  young  men* 

I heard  first  from  Reggie* 

44  Dear  Father, 

44  You  know  what  Barbara's  written  to  me*  I believe  I half 
foresaw  it,  and  you  know  I thought  I'd  not  be  able  to  bear  it*  Well, 
it's  all  right,  thank  God*  It's  curious,  because  I believe  I love  her 
as  much  as  ever,  but  ever  since  I seriously  resolved  to  carry  on 
helping  Blake,  the  idea  doesn't  hurt  less,  but  I seem  to  be  able  to 
not  mind  being  hurt*  In  fact,  I feel  happier  inside  than  ever  yet* 
I don't  think  it's  just  relief  that  the  uncertainty's  over,  though  that's 
something*  But  I have  a sort  of  conviction  it's  all  right*  I feel 
very  buoyed  up — not  excited;  but  I believe  your  Mass  must  have 
been  helping  me  a lot*  So  much  for  me*  Well,  I felt  quite  sure 
Blake  ought  to  have  it  conveyed  to  him,  so  I came  over  to  Hanton 
and  wangled  a week-end,  and  I worked  the  talk  round  to  saying  I'd 
always  half  thought  she  meant  to  be  a nun,  and  now  she'd  made  it 
clear  that  when  Mr*  Travers  died  she'd  do  it*  He  didn't  say  any- 
thing then;  later  on  he  asked  me  if  I thought  it  was  depression  at  the 
idea  of  losing  her  father,  and  I said  no,  she'd  never  look  at  a Convent 
as  an  escape,  but  as  a way  of  offering  herself  to  God,  and  that  she 
thought  she  had  a vocation*  He's  seemed  a bit  dazed  since,  and  he 
says  he's  coming  over  to  see  you;  but  I think  he  meant  to  convey  to 
me  that  it  wouldn't  alter  his  resolution  to  become  a Catholic,  because 

I54 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  155 

he  carried  on  enquiring  about  details,  and  thanked  me  a lot  for 
helping  him*  So  I hope  it's  all  right*  I daresay  it  may  make  all 
the  difference  to  him  and  me*  Cheeriho* 

44  Ever  yours, 

" Reggie*" 

44  P*S* — I needn't  say,  go  on  remembering  me  at  Mass*  I feel  very 
much  at  a loose  end*  I think  you  might  invent  a course  of  reading 
for  me*  I am  awfully  ignorant  about  Mass  itself*  Couldn't  it  be 
that  ? — R*  You  don't  know  how  she  occupied  all  my  thoughts*  It 
seems  so  futile  working  at  one's  job  now*" 

Three  days  afterwards  Geoffrey  appeared* 

We  walked  out  to  the  hospital  together,  and  all  he  said  about  the 
topic,  on  the  way  there,  was  that  no  doubt  I knew  the  knock  he'd  had, 
and  that  we'd  talk  about  it  a bit  later*  He  was  very  friendly  in  the 
wards;  I only  took  him  where  there  were  really  bad  cases,  but  one  or 
two  men  met  him  in  the  corridors  who  had  already  been  to  visit  him 
at  his  office;  he  remembered  them  quite  well,  and  he  seemed  to  me 
glad  to  be  able  to  meet  them  less  conventionally*  He  no  longer  had 
any  army  mannerisms,  and  his  voice  struck  me  as  singularly  respect- 
ful* I wondered  whether  this  was  because,  never  having  been 
wounded  himself,  he  for  the  first  time  sympathised  by  experience 
with  pain  and  despondency*  But  I exulted  when  he  said  quite 
simply,  that  since  I said  Mass  up  here  from  time  to  time,  he'd  value 
it  no  end  if  he  could  make  his  first  Communion  here*  I said  that 
Mass  was  very  early,  and  he  said,  hesitating  a little,  that  he'd  like 
to  be  quiet  when  he  was  received,  and  if  he  might,  he'd  stay  at  an 
hotel  in  Wilchurch  and  come  up  a*m*  on  his  motor-bike*  I offered 
to  put  him  up,  and  added  that  he  could  bring  me  up,  in  that  case,  in 
his  side-car*  Neither  of  us  alluded,  even  remotely,  to  the  idea  of 
his  not  becoming  a Catholic  now* 

On  the  way  down  he  felt  he  could  talk  more  easily* 

“ I want  to  say,  first,"  he  began, 44  that  I consider  Barbara's  been 
absolutely  first-rate*  You  know  nothing  was  due  to  me*  She 
needn't  have  sent  Orwylstree — because  I'm  sure  she  did  send  him, 
though  he  was  as  tactful  as  possible;  and  she  never  need  have 
thought  of  me  at  all*  But  what  I mean  is,  she's  been  so  honour- 
able* She  never  tried  to  persuade  me  to  be  a Catholic;  she  never 
made  the  least  suggestion  she'd  be  any  different  if  I did  become  one ; 
and  what  strikes  me  as  finest,  she  hasn't  allowed  me  to  interfere  with 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


156 

what  she  thinks  is  right,  even  though  she  might  well  suppose  an 
average  sort  of  man  like  me  might  chuck  the  whole  business  when 
I saw  she  wasn't  going  to  have  me*  Well,  I suppose  I've  got  to 
give  up  thinking  of  her  like — like  that;  but  I shall  always  respect  her 
more  and  more  for  going  through  with  it*  D'you  know.  I'd  be  half 
sorry,  in  a way,  if  she  chucked  the  idea  of  being  a nun,  now*" 

44  It  hasn't  been  too — painful  ?" 

44  Well,  d'you  know.  I'd  never  have  believed  it*  I'd  have  thought 
I'd  go  mad  if  you'd  suggested  this  even  a couple  of  months  ago* 
But — well,  you  know,  when  I wake  up  in  the  morning,  I feel  right 
away  that  something's  happened,  and  it  takes  me  a second  or  two 
to  remember  what  exactly;  and  then  I feel  a sort  of  thump — don't 
laugh  1 — in  my  tummy;  a sort  of  horrid  jar;  and  on  and  off  during 
the  day  I feel  sort  of  bruised  and  sick  all  of  a sudden ; but,  honestly, 
I don't  feel  miserable*  I even  feel  half — well,  rejoicing,  sometimes 
* * ♦ I daresay  you  understand  this  sort  of  thing,  but  I'm  sure  I 
don't*" 

“ I think  you've  become  thoroughly  unselfish*" 

44  Well,  I jolly  well  ought  to  have*  Don't  think  me  rude,  padre, 
but  all  your  instructions,  for  which  I'm  jolly  grateful,  you  know,  and 
even  the  retreat,  all  that's  nothing  to  Orwylstree*  Absolute  heroism. 
Couldn't  have  believed  it  possible*  Well,  that  settled  me*  That 
made  it  clear  as  daylight  that  the  Catholic  religion's  absolutely  unlike 
everything  else  in  the  wide  world*  No  one  would  do  what  he  did 
for  anything  else  that  I can  possibly  think  of*  And  in  a way 
Barbara's  done  the  same  sort  of  thing*  It  must  have  cost  her  fright- 
fully to  think  she  might  be  risking  my  conversion*  Jove  ! she's 
clinched  it*" 

44  Also,  she  showed  she  trusted  you  very  completely*  Next  best 
to — to  loving  you,  Geoffrey*  You  trust  her,  and  she  trusted  you* 
It's  a close  and  beautiful  relationship*" 

44  Jove  1"  he  said*  44  I see  how  you  can  have  this  sort  of  serious 
happiness  in  the  middle  of,  well — I'll  own  up — the  devil  of  a lot  of 
pain*  I believe  I've  been  so  deucedly  happy  I hardly  realized  how 
it  was  hurting*" 

44  What  a thin  sort  of  thing  pleasure  is,  compared  to  happiness  1" 
44  That's  a queer  way  of  putting  it  1"  he  said,  and  laughed* 

44  Well,  isn't  it  true  ? How  dull  people  are  who  exist  for  having  a 
good  time  1 I'm  very  seldom  bored;  but,  honestly,  I have  to 
struggle  not  to  be  bored  by  them  ! How  shallow  ! How  selfish  I 
And  how  unsuccessful  1" 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES  157 

“ If  I live  to  be  ninety,  I shall  never  stop  thanking  God  for  letting 
me  see  what  unselfishness  means,  in  Orwylstree,  You  begin  to 
believe  the  whole  world's  fighting  for  its  own  hand,  and  you  sud- 
denly see  that ♦ What's  a general  or  a prime  minister  or  a millionaire 
to  that  ? Poor  little  nonentities  !" 

44  God  is  initiating  you,"  I said,  “ But  don't  ever  be  contemptuous. 
One  could  be  any  of  those  things  and  unselfish  !" 

44  I know;  but  what  I'd  single  out  to  go  down  on  my  knees  before, 
would  be  the  unselfishness.  And  you  know,  he  never  said  a word 
about  it,  , ♦ , I mean,  never  hinted  it,  , , , I'm  so  blind  that  I 
might  never  have  guessed  it  if  you  hadn't  pointed  it  out,  I say — " 
cried  he,  struck  by  yet  another  idea — 44  what  a life  that  fellow's 
leading  inside  himself — doesn't  require  to  advertise — doesn't  seem 
to  need  sympathy,  even " 

“ Oh,  but  he  does  ! He  feels  very  very  small  and  bewildered  and 
lonely,  I assure  you.  He's  all  right  right  inside;  but  he  doesn't  feel 
self-sufficient  more  than  you  or  anyone  else  does.  He  requires 
friends,  too," 

44  By  Jove  ! I hope  I may  be  one  of  them," 

“ Be  sure  of  that," 

After  a long  pause,  I said : 

44  Don't  you  think  all  this  hunt  for  pleasure  and  excitement  is  a 
very  rotten  thing  ?" 

44  Isn't  it  just  after-war  reaction  ?" 

“ Is  it  ? Hasn't  it  gone  on  too  long  ? Doesn't  it  mean  people 
just  snatch  at  all  they  can  get  in  the  way  of  selfish  satisfaction  ? And 
isn't  that  a lack  of  principle,  much  deeper  than  a mere  superficial 
irritability  ? And  by  now  they  know , They  must  know  the  misery 
that  exists,  and  the  frightful  poverty,  , , , I'm  afraid  I feel  a lot 
more  strongly  than  I think  on  this  subject.  Yet  I don't  know  l 
Is  it  just  that  people  should  pay  £1,000  for  furs  ? I saw  that  the 
other  day.  Or  food,  ♦ ♦ , I once  had  a dinner  which  made  me  ask 
myself  quite  seriously  whether  I'd  not  committed  a sin  in  eating  it. 
Ever  so  many  courses,  and  each  at  almost  ten  shillings,  and  special  odd 
things,  not  even  very  nice,  , , , However,  the  lad  asked  me  to 
come;  he  was  on  leave;  he'd  have  chucked  his  money  about  whether 
or  no.  And  I remember  I shrove  him  before  he  went  to  bed,  and 
he  had  communion  next  day — a very  simple,  honest  lad.  But, 
sincerely,  until  we  learn  austerity  all  over  again,  we  shall  go  from 
bad  to  worse;  revolution  will  be  the  least  bad  thing  1 We  shall  lose 
our  souls,  ♦ , ♦" 


158  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44 1 say,  you  know ! But  this  is  pretty  awful ! I'd  looked  forward 
to  having  quite  a number  of  good  dinners  with  you,  on  and  off  1 
Won't  you  come  ?" 

44  Sure  ! Very  glad  to.  But  this  much  I will  stick  to.  Unless  a 
man  is  putting  a strong  dose  of  unselfishness  into  his  life  somewhere 
it's  a disgusting  thing  to  see  him  merely  out  for  a good  time;  it's 
disgusting,  stupid,  vile  taste,  and  nowadays  half  criminal.  So 
there  ! Meanwhile,  mon  cher,  we  shall  buy  some  chestnuts  off  this 
fellow  and  we'll  roast  'em  for  tea.  You  buy  'em,  and  say  something 
amiable  to  him  so  that  he'll  feel  warmer."  For  the  October  evening 
was  closing  damp  and  chill. 

It  was  early  yet  for  fires,  but  in  honour  of  Blake's  visit  I had  pre- 
pared one.  He  sat  on  the  hearth-rug,  roasting  chestnuts,  during  his 
tea,  and  stayed  down  there  after  we'd  cleared  away — for  I'd  carried  it 
to  my  room  so  that  we  need  not  break  our  talk  in  two  unnecessarily. 
And  it  is  so  much  easier  to  talk  when  you  are  roasting  chestnuts  or 
playing  with  a poker,  anyhow.  So  there  he  sat,  propped  against  my 
knee,  growling  hideous  imprecations  when  he  burnt  his  fingers,  and 
as  pleased  as  a boy  when  the  shells  came  off  the  chestnuts  properly* 
He  was  like  a man  who  had  been  very  badly  wounded,  but  was  so 
healthy  in  himself  that  the  wound  healed  well  and  quickly.  To  drop 
simile:  he  was  content;  and  not  because  he  was  selfish  or  shallow, 
as  a lot  of  things  made  me  realize,  and  not  least  what  he  said  next — 
but  because  he  was  being  vigorously  helped  within  himself  to  recon- 
stitute his  life.  I don't  say  that  this  inside  help  was  his  own  good- 
will alone;  Reggie's  human  will  was  intertwined  with  his;  Reggie's 
supernaturalized  human  will;  and  also  the  human  and  the  divine 
will  of  our  Lord,  healer  of  all  hearts. 

After  a longish  silence,  during  which  he  made  such  a mess  of  the 
chestnuts  that  it  was  clear  he  was  thinking  hard,  he  said: 

44  There've  been  moments,  mind  you,  only  moments,  when  I've 
asked  myself  all  the  silly  old  stock  questions.  At  least,  I suppose 
everyone  asks  himself  them." 

44  Like  what  ?" 

“ Like,  Why  is  there  such  a lot  of  suffering  in  the  world  ?" 

“ What  else  ?" 

44  It  sounds  vilely  self-important — but  after  all  I am  myself — Why 
should  I be  put  through  all  this  ? I don't  quite  like  to  say  I haven't 
deserved  it;  because  at  the  back  of  my  mind  I feel  I may  have;  or 
even,  it  may  be  silly  to  talk  of  deserving  or  not  deserving  it,  if  it  does 
one  good.  Like  that  woman  and  the  baby  and  the  dentist  you  told 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  i59 

us  of ; it  would  be  silly  of  the  kiddy  to  say,  4 What  have  I done  to 
deserve  having  my  tooth  out  ?'  " 

44  But  listen*  That  doesn't  quite  solve  your  difficulty — at  least, 
not  on  a general  scale*  For  the  teeth  came  out,  and  I presume  the 
spots  went  away  ! The  poison  came  out  of  the  system,  anyhow* 
But  what  about  the  people  who  don't  know  how  to  use  suffering  ? 
For  it's  no  good  unless  you  use  it*  Perhaps  the  suffering  doesn't 
get  the  spiritual  sickness  out*  It's  not  quite  as  automatic  as  teeth 
and  spots*" 

44  Yes,"  said  he*  44  I'd  not  followed  it  up  like  that*  What  about 
the  innocent  people  who  suffer,  and  wouldn't  resent  it  if  they  knew 
how  to  use  it,  but  don't  know  how  to,  and  can't  ? It  wouldn't 
improve  them,  but  spoil  them*  * * * By  Jove  !" 

44  Wasn't  there  one  more  question  ?" 

He  hesitated* 

44  There  was  and  there  wasn't*  It  occurred  to  me  to  ask.  Why 
does  God  make  a world  where  there's  suffering  at  all  ? But  I 
wouldn't  quite  let  myself*  If  there's  one  thing  that's  clear  it's  that 
I'm  incapable  of  judging  God*  I really  have  not  got  the  cheek  for 
that*  I couldn't  judge  even  my  parents  properly  when  I was  a kid*" 

44  Well,  not  judge  exactly*  But  even  a child,  I think,  often  has 
a very  accurate  instinct  of  what's  just  or  not,  and  resents  unjust 
actions  of  parents*  And  even  with  God,  it's  possible  to  look  at  His 
actions  in  a limited  sort  of  way,  so  that  if  what  you  see  of  them  were 
all  there  was  to  be  seen,  they  would  be  cruel  or  unjust*" 

44  Well,  but  the  fault's  in  my  way  of  looking  at  them;  that's  easily 
grasped*  Not  in  them*  You  showed  me  at  the  very  beginning 
that  God's  infinite  and  perfect  and  can't  be  otherwise,  and  His 
action's  right  and  must  be*  Whereas  I'm  bound  to  be  limited  in  my 
view  and  probably  wrong  about  anything  that's  even  a good  deal 
larger  than  I am*" 

44  Yes:  but  as  you  said,  you're  you ; and  so  abstract  considerations 
like  that  mayn't  serve  much  at  a crisis,  unless  they've  really  per- 
meated you  and  constructed  the  inside  of  your  mind  for  you,  and 
regulated  the  whole  flow  of  your  instinct*  That  takes  long*  Mean- 
while, our  Lord  came  and  revealed  what  it  would  take  the  intelli- 
gence too  long  to  see  for  itself*" 

44  All  the  same  I have  asked  myself  if  there  could  be  a world  with- 
out pain*" 

44  What  did  you  decide  ?" 

44  I thought  of  an  odd  thing*  It  doesn't  really  seem  to  apply* 


160  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

But  it's  this.  If  there's  a lot  of  things,  can  one  avoid  pain  ? I don't 
mean  men,  but  a lot  of  anything,  if  it's  alive." 

44  You  mean  they're  bound  to  fight  ?" 

44  Well,  I mean  thing  A needs,  say,  food.  Thing  B needs  food 
too.  Well,  perhaps  there's  plenty  of  food  for  both  somewhere,  but 
not  here.  Well,  whether  they  fight  or  no,  one's  got  to  go  without 
and  starve,  or  get  only  half  of  what  it  needs  and  be  spoilt." 

44  Yes,  yet  the  struggle  for  life  is  not  more  deep  set  than  the  associ- 
ative, friendly  instinct.  The  world  and  its  contents  do  tend  to 
group  themselves — to  associate.  But  even  if  that's  true  and  works 
on  a general  scale,  the  individual  may  get  a thin  time  of  it.  How- 
ever, outside  of  man,  I suppose  living  creatures  have  only  instinct, 
and  not  ideas,  so  they  don't  know  that  they're  suffering — in  fact 
they  aren't.  They  aren't  exactly  automatons;  but  they  can't  look 
backwards  and  forwards,  as  even  old  Homer  said  men  could." 

44  That  goes  part  of  the  way.  But  it  still  remains,  why  did  God 
make  a sort  of  world  in  which  that  could  happen  ?" 

44  D'you  think  that's  really  asking  why  He  made  a world  at  all  ? 
If  He  did,  it  had  to  be  limited,  and  made  of  limited  things.  All 
limited  things  are  imperfect,  in  this  sense  that  they  haven't  qualities 
and  assets  that  others  have.  So  they  depend  on  one  another,  and 
the  associative  instinct  is  possible  and  even  necessary,  and  therefore 
the  converse  of  it — that  is,  fighting." 

44  Well,"  he  said,  44  it's  obviously  silly  to  ask  why  God  made  a 
world  at  all.  . . . And  anyhow,"  he  went  on, 44  the  problem  really 
isn't  due  to  things  that  suffer  and  don't  know  it,  but  to  those  that  do, 
and  don't  know  why,  and  can't  cope  with  suffering,  and  that's  us” 

He  began  boring  holes  in  the  red  coal  with  the  poker. 

44  Think  of  this,"  I began.  44  There's  not  only  a lot  of  us,  and  all 
of  us  imperfect;  but  we  can't  he  perfect  and  4 rounded  off'  at  any 
given  minute,  because  we're  involved  in  a process  of  which  the  end's 
nowhere  yet  in  sight." 

44  Will  it  ever  be  in  sight  ?" 

44  Anyone  can  see  it's  not  in  sight  in  this  world;  Christians  believe 
the  end — I don't  mean  the  mere  finish,  but  the  total  thing,  the 
living  consummation — is  in  the  next." 

44  Yet  everyone  feels  they  have  a sort  of  right  to  happiness  right 
now” 

44  So  they  have;  to  a certain  happiness;  and  they'll  get  the  full 
happiness  if  they  don't  murder  their  chances.  But  one  most 
certainly  will  not  get  full  happiness  in  one  chapter  only  of  life,  which 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  161 

this  world's  experiences  are;  still  less,  in  one  paragraph  of  this 
chapter*  But  you  can  get  plenty  of  happiness,  and  even  joy,  if  not 
always  pleasure  !" 

44  The  reason  I said  4 right  to  happiness,'  " he  said, 44  was  because 
I had  a fearful  argument  with  a girl  I once  took  for  a week-end  to 
Maidenhead  early  on  in  the  war*  I suppose  I began  to  feel  lofty 
and  moral  when  I got  bored,  which  I did  right  away  on  Sunday 
morning*  I began  to  see  it  was  all  wrong,  and  she  said  No,  but 
that  we  had  a right  to  happiness*  I said  this  wasn't  happiness,  and 
it  was  hypocrisy  to  pretend  it  was;  but  that  it  was  a second-rate 
enjoyment,  and  didn't  even  profess  to  supply  either  of  us  with 
happiness *" 

44  She  must  have  been  very  annoyed  !" 

“ Oh,  she  said  the  world  was  a miserable  place  anyhow,  and  you'd 
better  get  what  you  could  while  you  could,  and  then  take  an  overdose 
of  something  and  get  out  of  it*" 

44  Well,  you  could  distinguish  between  pleasure  and  happiness 
yourself,  even  then*" 

“ Jove,  so  I did  1" 

“ Of  course,  if  one  cuts  out  the  4 future  ' life,  the  main  part  of  life 
I prefer  to  say,  or  is  vague  about  it,  one  is  almost  bound  to  grasp 
at  the  immediate  pleasure,  because  it  does  seem  to  round  life  off 
for  the  time  being,  anyhow*  Lots  of  people  don't,  because  they  have 
a measure  of  self-control  based  on  some  sort  of  better  principle, 
even  though  not  the  best*" 

44  What  I see,  of  course,  as  clear  as  daylight,  is  that  you  don't  want 
to  use  the  better  principles,  half  the  time,  even  when  you  know  'em*" 

44  In  other  words,  nearly  all  the  pain,  and  I think  all  the  worst 
mental  pain  in  the  world,  is  in  the  long  run  due  to  misuse  of  will; 
in  fact,  to  sin*" 

44  If  you  could  cut  out  certain  sins,"  he  said, 44  think  of  the  mass  of 
disease  and  the  mental  misery  that  goes  with  it  you  would  cut  out 
too*" 

44  And  money-grabbing,"  I said*  44  At  the  root  of  the  war,  was 
injustice ♦ Trying  to  grab  the  whole  for  one's  self,  or  as  much  as 
one  can  get*  And  at  the  root  of  slums,  and  sweated  labour,  and 
horrible  childhoods,  and  drunkenness*" 

44  That's  the  idea  ! Trying  to  get  too  much,  if  not  everything* 

I never  expect  to  be  a millionaire,  and  to  be  a sort  of  universal  king* 
But  I see  I do  feel  an  instinct  to  get  all  I can — anyhow  what'll  make 
me  thoroughly  comfortable*  Pleasure,  money,  power*  ♦ ♦ *" 

ii 


162  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

44  So  it's  up  to  someone/'  said  1, 44  to  preach  poverty,  chastity  and 
obedience  !" 

For  some  of  our  most  heated  discussions  had  been  about  priests 
and  religious  cutting  themselves  off  from  life.  Besides,  I wanted 
him  to  see  Barbara  as  not  only  doing  what  was  right  for  her,  but 
what  could  be  very  good  in  itself. 

He  perfectly  well  saw  it. 

44  Now  and  again,"  he  said,  twisting  his  head  up  and  grinning, 
"your  conversation  is  not  unpleasant;  but  I believe  I like  quite 
a number  of  things  you  don't  say." 

44  After  one  more  explosion  of  volubility,"  I replied,  44  I shall 
become  a Trappist  and  never  talk  again.  But  now  do  just  listen  for 
one  moment." 

44  You're  very  seldom  volcanic,"  he  said.  44  And  don't  become 
a Trappist." 

44  Well,  now  take  the  world  as  full  of  crowds  of  decent  folks  with 
honest,  limited  intelligences,  and  with  honest  good-wills.  They 
fasten  their  conscious  loves  on  to  what  they  see.  Old  Aristotle  said 
that  perhaps  we  don't  love  really  what  we  seem  to,  or  even  think 
we  do,  but  one  mysterious  thing  in  the  last  resort.  But  anyhow, 
we  feel  attached  to  all  sorts  of  excellent  small  things,  and  are  apt  to 
stop  there.  Now  suppose  God's  educating  such  persons,  not  to 
mention  the  race.  He's  trying  to  make  them  see  more  and  deeper. 
In  the  long  run,  if  they  yield  to  His  educating,  they'll  love  more,  and 
more  deeply;  but  at  first,  if  their  will  is  attached  resolutely  to  all 
those  lesser  things,  they'll  feel  it  painful  to  be  led  away  from  them  to 
anything  larger  and  wider;  and  they  may  resist;  they  may  get  angry 
with  each  new  increase  of  light,  and  even  deny  that  it  is  light.  Then 
they  get  into  bad  faith.  Perhaps  God  may  foresee  that  (as  we  say), 
and  in  mercy  refrain  from  giving  them  extra  light.  But  He  may  see 
they'll  yield  in  the  long  run,  and  then  He  detaches  their  will  from  all 
sorts  of  limited  things  it  was  fastened  down  to,  and  that  hurts . If  a 
soul  is  strong  enough,  He  may  put  it  through  a perfect  martyrdom." 

" That  was  a remarkable  thing  you  said  about  everyone  really 
being  in  love  with  one  thing.  . . ." 

44  Aristotle  said  it.  But  so  did  St.  Paul,  when  he  declared  that 
God  had  made  all  men  of  on  blood  over  all  the  earth,  so  that  they 
grope  after  God,  if  haply  they  might  find  Him.  They  pause  at  all 
sorts  of  images  of  God — love  of  country,  love  of  ideas,  love  of  art, 
love  of  women,  of  home — well,  I daresay  even,  you  may  say,  they 
pause  at  caricatures — tyranny,  lust,  amusement  . ♦ ♦ but  always 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


163 

that  leaves  them  dissatisfied  even  if  they  don't  know  how  to  go  on 
to  what's  better*  Such  people  end  heartsick  and  even  suicidally 
miserable,  unless  they  drug  themselves  and  end  just  stupid*  But  I 
daresay  average  people  end,  in  this  life,  with  a love  of  a fairly  good 
image  of  God,  such  as  a happy  and  affectionate  family,  in  which  wife 
and  husband  and  child,  making  a home,  are  a very  wonderful  image 
of  the  Holy  Trinity  and  heaven,  though  still  an  image*" 

44  But  are  we  to  end  as  image-worshippers,  then  ?" 

“No*  And  that's  why  all  but  accomplished  Saints  are  to  have 
their  Purgatory  ! That  is  why  Purgatory  is  pain,  because  it  weans 
you  from  images  which  you'd  come  to  think  good  enough,  and  to 
adhere  to;  and  that's  why  it's  happy,  because  it's  making  you  capable 
of  loving,  and  of  being  happy  in,  the  One  Real  Thing*" 

44  Jove  1 How  it  all  fits  together  1" 

44  And  even  better  when  you  go  on  to  the  supernatural  world  which 
our  Lord  has  revealed  to  us*  St*  Paul  speaks  similarly,  only  with 
a still  richer  meaning,  I daresay,  when  he  says  that  all  created 
things  groan  and  travail  together  towards  the  revelation  of  the  Sons 
of  God  ! What  a lot  there  is  in  that  towards  l And  in  that  to- 
gether l If  one  could  only  see  human  history  as  a combined,  asso- 
ciated struggle — frightfully  painful,  because  away  from  the  limited, 
the  transient,  even  the  departmental  good  things  towards  the  full 
revelation,  the  something  else  which  we  couldn't  even  have  guessed 
at  if  we'd  not  been  told  it — that  the  maximum,  the  sum  total,  of 
human  satisfaction  that  is  naturally  open  to  us,  is  less  than  what 
God  means  for  us*  Our  perfection,  naturally  speaking,  lies  in  the 
life  and  association  and  happiness  proper  to  our  being  sons  of  men 
* * ♦ but  we  are  to  be  able  to  have  a life,  and  a union,  and  a happi- 
ness which  are  supernatural  and  proper  to  what  St*  Paul  can  only 
call  being  sons  of  God*" 

“ I have  floating  ideas  in  my  head,"  he  said,  thoughtfully*  He 
was  still  sitting  on  the  floor,  with  his  back,  now,  against  my  knees, 
and  like  the  Corporal  once  in  London,  sought  visions  in  the  fire* 

Can  you  piece  them  together  ?" 

44  What  sort  of  ideas  ? Give  me  a hint !" 

44  The  Crucifixion*  The  Resurrection*  People  who  say  Chris- 
tianity's a kill-joy  * ♦ ♦" 

“ Well,  so  far,  surely,  it's  proclaimed  increase  of  life*  And  there's 
its  obstinate  paradox*  Increase  of  life  is  the  aim,  and  the  method 
is  always  death*  Christ  said,  4 I am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life,' 
and,  He  was  crucified*  He  said,  4 I am  come  that  they  might  have 


164  MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

life,  and  have  it  more  abundantly/  and  also , 4 If  any  man  would  come 
after  Me,  let  him  take  up  his  cross  daily  and  follow  Me/  His  cross  ! 
Go  to  the  gallows.  Go  right  down.  Right  down.  4 My  God , why 
hast  Thou  forsaken  Me  V He  hadn't;  but  it  felt  like  that.  Separa- 
tion even  from  the  felt  love  of  God;  from  satisfaction  in  the  joy  of 
the  love  of  God.  Quite  stripped,  quite  naked.  But  He  can't  stop 
there.  He's  killed,  but  He  can't  stay  dead.  Mors  et  vita  duello 
conflixere  mirando . Dux  vitas  mortuus,  regnat  vivus . The  whole  of 
all  history  is  summed  up,  do  you  see,  in  Christ.  He  bowed  His  head 
and  died.  4 Consummatum  est.f  What  did  He  mean  ? Just  that 
the  pain  was  over  ? Of  course  not.  But  that  the  whole  of  the 
doctrine  of  sacrifice  had  been  summed  up,  accomplished  fully , in 
Himself.  The  perfect  offering  of  life  to  that  for  which  alone  in  the 
full  sense  it's  intended,  God.  Offered  utterly,  to  that  to  which  alone 
you  can  offer  anything  utterly,  God.  And  at  once,  a sort  of  sign  by 
anticipation  that  death  hasn't  triumphed.  From  his  pierced  Heart, 
living  blood  and  water  spring;  His  Life  shall  go  on  cleansing  and 
nourishing  His  Church — His  mystical  Body,  us ♦ And  after  a brief 
space,  needed,  I suppose,  to  leave  us  in  no  doubt  about  the  reality  of 
His  death.  He  rises.  Death  has  no  dominion  over  Him.  He  leads 
captivity  captive.  Christianity  moves  by  way  of  death,  but  never 
stops  there;  it  passes  all  the  day  long  through  that  gate  into  life." 

44  It's  remarkable,"  he  said,  44  how  everyone  agrees  on  giving 
crosses  as  marks  of  honour:  V.C.'s,  M.C.'s,  the  Legion  of  Honour. 
What  a transformation  ! Can  you  picture  the  gallows  turning  into 
the  symbol  of  glory  because  some  criminal  had  died  on  it  nowa- 
days ?" 

44  No.  There'll  only  ever  be  one  Christ.  But  He  can  transform 
even  gallows  ! For  what  a symbol  1 See  the  Cross  ! it's  planted  in 
earth,  and  it  goes  all  the  way  dowrn;  and  it's  lifted  above  earth,  right 
up  to  heaven.  And  it  stretches  its  arms,  this  way  and  that,  right 
round  the  world.  Perhaps,  until  a man  has  gone  right  down,  he'll 
not  have  it  open  to  him  to  go  right  the  way  up.  He  must  taste  that 
despair,  maybe,  which  is  just  not  despair,  for  it  holds  the  God  it 
hides." 

He  meditated. 

44  And  no  wonder  after  that,  that  the  essence  of  Catholic  life  is 
Mass.  Communion.  Method  and  aim.  You  join  yourself  to 
Christ.  If  you  join  yourself  to  Him,  you  join  yourself  to  Him  dying 
and  dead,  but  by  that  very  fact  you  can't  help  joining  yourself  to  Him 
living,  rising,  and  giving  life." 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  165 

“ So  it's  true/'  he  said,  slowly,  “ that  Christianity  can't  be  com- 
fortable* Well,  we  agreed  to  practically  that  early  on,  even  before 
we  mentioned  Christianity,  that  you  can't  make  much  out  of  a life 
that's  merely  comfortable*  And  you  can't  out  of  a life  that's  selfish* 
It's  got  to  be  social*  And  anyone,  God  or  not,  who's  doing  you  any 
good  is  bound,  in  a sense,  to  draw  you  away  from  yourself  and  join 
you  on  to  other  people;  and  that  involves  a lot  of  giving  up  and  self- 
sacrifice*  So  one  oughtn't  to  grouse  when  a sacrifice  comes  along, 
because  whatever  it  is,  one  can  turn  it  into  that  sort  of  sacrifice*" 

44  The  worst  of  it  is,"  said  I,  44  after  the  first  pang,  you  find  that 
the  sacrifice  has  stopped  being  one,  and  you've  got  a lot  more  than 
you  gave  up*  Then  you  go  on  to  the  next  one  1" 

He  frankly  laughed* 

44  What  on  earth'll  be  my  next  one  ?" 

44  Oh  well,  you  needn't  have  a next  one  exactly  ! You  develop 
an  attitude  of  will*  A good  will  wanting  always  more  union  with 
God  and  dislike  of  what  holds  you  back*" 

“ Then/*  said  he,  “ you  romp  right  away  into  Communion*  I see 
that*  How  jolly  good  Christ  is,  not  only  telling  us  so,  but  acting 
the  whole  in  person*  Gave  up  everything,  and  is  everything*  Got 
crucified,  and,  I suppose,  needn't  have*  I suppose  His  love  for 
God  was  so  perfect  and  pure  He  could  have  loved  God  in  our  name 
and  it  would  have  been  good  enough,  and  stood  for  the  whole  world  ?" 

44  He  could  have*  But  it  wouldn't  have  been  what  we  wanted,  or 
what  some  of  us  want ! Could  you  do  with  a perfectly  serene  success- 
ful Christ  ? I doubt  it,  old  boy;  you  want  a Friend;  and  a friend 
can't  be  a quite  different  sort  of  person  from  you*  We  need  a Christ 
like  and  unlike  us*  I think  some  of  us  need  a Christ  on  the  gallows* 
All  the  way  down*  ♦ * * But  to  take  us  with  Him  all  the  way  up*" 
After  that  I showed  him  “ In  an  Indian  Abbey,"  and  one  or  two 
other  books  by  the  same  thoughtful  and  sympathetic  writer,  so  that 
he  could  follow  up  what  we  had  been  saying  about  evil  and  pain — 
the  only  problem  which  has  really  sprung  to  harass  men's  minds 
out  of  those  years  of  war*  Then  he  talked  a little  about  when  he 
could  be  received,  and  he  did,  in  fact,  become  a Catholic  the  very 
day  before  Mr*  Travers  died,  so  Barbara  had  that  happiness,  too,  in 
her  sorrow* 


Chapter  XVII 

DECEMBER  came*  The  skies  wept,  and  the  streets  were 
full  of  sodden  leaves*  Frost  refused  to  clean  the  atmosphere, 
and  yet  the  nights  were  raw  and  the  cold  entered  your  flesh 
Like  rust*  Even  Barbara,  who  was  staying  at  the  Nazareth  Convent, 
was  depressed  and  unlike  herself*  She  had  gone,  after  all,  to  live 
with  Lady  Sophia  for  a while,  and  I think  she  foresaw  that  her  entry 
among  the  Poor  Clares  might  be  postponed*  Meanwhile,  she  had 
to  arrange  about  the  furniture  of  the  Wilchurch  house,  which  was 
being  given  up,  and  had  come  to  stay  near  by  for  a fortnight* 

One  morning  the  Sergeant  came  to  call,  looking  worried* 

44  There's  two  things  I want  to  speak  to  you  about.  Father,"  said 
he ; 44  one's  silly  and  one's  important*  Ernestine  and  I have  had 
our  first  difference;  and  we've  agreed  to  refer  the  matter  to  you*" 

I foresaw  the  lifelong  enmity  of  both  of  them,  whatever  I said 
(for  the  Sergeant  would  think  my  advice  bad  if  I agreed  with  Miss 
Silver,  and  Miss  Silver  would  regret  it  the  moment  she'd  done  what 
she'd  wanted  to),  and  so  I held  my  hands  up  invoking  mercy* 

He  smiled  a pale  smile* 

44  She  wants,"  said  he, 44  to  study  social  conditions  at  close  quarters, 
and  to  go  the  round  of  those  London  doss-houses  in  the  character 
of  one  who  has  nowhere  else  to  sleep  and  spend  the  night  in  each  of 
'em  in  turn*  When  I disapprove,  which  I most  emphatically  do,  she 
says,  4 Are  we  taking  this  social  work  seriously,  or  are  we  not  ? If 
so,  it's  up  to  us  to  have  first-hand  knowledge*'  She  says  she  can't 
come  to  harm,  because  they're  in  public  streets  and  too  full  of  folk 
for  risks  to  be  run*  I put  my  foot  down  and  say  I won't  have  it,  and 
she  puts  hers  down  and  turns  it  into  a duty,  it  having  simply  started 
as  a wild  dream,  and  no  duty  about  it  whatever;  and  at  last  we  agree 
to  refer  it  to  you*  With  all  due  respect,  Father,  I don't  think  it's 
a thing  as  we  need  to  refer  to  you,  and  when  married  I don't  propose 
to  trouble  you  with  continual  decisions  re  our  domestic  concerns;- 
but  seeing  that  this  is  our  first  divergence,"  said  he  with  dignity, 44  I 
thought  it  would  be  good  to  get  your  guidance*" 

1 66 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  167 

“ Well,  listen,  old  son.  It  seems  to  me  that  apart  from  its  general 
desirability  or  the  reverse,  it  is  an  experiment  that  wouldn't  succeed. 
I suppose  she'd  dress  up  in  poor  clothes.  But  she  couldn't  disguise 
her  voice.  Even  if  she  could  talk  Cockney  she  couldn't  do  it  well 
enough  to  take  in  Londoners ; and  I doubt  if  a refined  woman  would 
get  into  a position  which  would  make  it  necessary  for  her  to  go  there 
for  a night's  lodging,  not  until  she'd  got  very  very  sick,  and  down 
and  out  indeed.  And  Miss  Silver  can't  look  that.  I'm  bound  to  say 
she  looks  extremely  well,  especially  since  her  engagement.  If  she 
could  use  a very  broad  Scotch  accent  or  an  Irish  brogue,  she  might 
get  through  with  it.  As  it  is,  she'd  be  instantly  recognized,  and 
she'd  be  taken  for  a detective  or  an  inquisitor  of  some  sort,  or  at  best 
a newspaper-woman  or  a novelist.  But  they'd  resent  that  frightfully, 
unless  she  knew  how  to  talk  to  them  intimately,  and  put  'em  at  their 
ease.  And  she'd  have  no  idea  how  to  do  that.  Then  there's  this. 
I expect  she'd  consent  to  this,  wouldn't  she — she'd  go  to  one  that 
was  at  least  worked  respectably — I mean,  by  the  Salvationists,  or 
something  like  that.  She  wouldn't  want  to  go  where — well,  where 
no  one  cares  what  happens.  Well,  even  in  a respectable  one  it 
would — well,  let's  see.  It  would  cost  her  5d.;  that  includes  a bed  and 
cocoa  p.m.,  and  tea  a.m.,  without  food.  Now  even  though  they  have 
a vermin-proof  mattress  and  covering,  well,  that's  no  real  good. 
There's  sheets,  too,  and  those  only  get  changed  once  a week  . . . 
and  the  beds  are  only  a few  inches  apart,  and  no  one  undresses,  you 
know.  She  couldn't  escape  'em.  Think  of  the  trenches.  You 
know  ! Then — well,  she'd  find  excellent  human  nature  to  study; 
but  she  couldn't  judge  it.  She  has  no  background.  She'd  not  be 
able  to  judge  the  language.  ♦ ♦ ♦ Nor  the  arguments.  They'll  all 
decide,  you  know,  that  you're  better  off  without  your  husband  than 
with  him,  if  you  can  keep  the  kiddies  dressed  and  fed;  and,  upon  my 
word ! if  you  realize  how  the  one  occupation  of  their  men  is  standing 
in  the  streets  and  betting — well,  on  whether  the  next  woman  that 
looks  out  of  a window  has  her  hair  in  papers  or  not — that's  how  their 
money  goes — you  wonder  if  their  wives  aren't  right.  She'd  not 
know  what  to  say  if  they  asked  her  opinion.  And  suppose  a drunk 
lady  wanted  to  fight  her  ? Drunks  go  there,  or  the  police  take  'em 
there  when  they  judge  they're  respectable.  The  police  wouldn't 
think  of  taking  a respectable  drunk  woman  to  one  of  the  other  doss- 
jm  houses." 

He  heaved  a great  sigh  of  relief. 

44  Well,  Father,  I think  that's  that.  All  the  sorrier  I am  for  having 


i68 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


to  suggest  what  now  I do.  My  job  at  Mr.  Travers'  is  unfortunately 
over;  I shall  have  to  look  for  a job  as  you  yourself  have  pointed  out. 
And  I'm  anxious  not  to  put  off  my  marriage."  He  enlarged  a little 
on  his  gratitude  for  the  arrangement  that  had  held  good  so  far.  Then 
he  reminded  me  that  he'd  accompanied  Lady  Sophia  and  Barbara 
to  Linborough  when  Barbara  went  there  after  the  funeral. 

“ Lady  Sophia/'  he  said, 44  though  making  no  offer — for,  of  course, 
she  would  consult  you  before  doing  that — asked  me  if  I would  like 
her  to  offer  me  the  managership  of  one  department  of  her  Settlement 
in  London,  and  if  so,  she  would  apply  to  you  for  your  opinion.  I 
could  live  on  the  salary,  seeing  that  quarters  would  be  supplied;  the 
work  would  be  congenial  to  me  and  to  my  wife,  as  she  then,  I hope, 
would  be.  I should  like  to  marry,"  said  he  (still  rather  pleased  with 
his  accuracy  of  formula),  44  immediately  after  the  Closed  Season. 
My  wife  would  have  plenty  to  do  then,  both  writing  and  active  work, 
and  we  should  remain  in  close  touch  with  the  Guild,  and  even 
strengthen  the  links  between  it  and  the  Settlement.  Wishing  to  be 
fully  above  board,  I now  place  the  matter  before  your  Reverence, 
and  though,"  he  said,  suddenly  becoming  natural,  44  it'd  break  my 
heart  to  go  away  from  dear  old  Wilchurch,  please  God  we'll  be  in 
very  close  touch  still.  Father,  and  it  looks  as  if  I owe  you  an'  Wil- 
church fair  everything,  having  obtained  along  of  you  the  Faith  and 
a wife  into  the  bargain,  and  a Catholic  one  moreover." 

For  Miss  Silver  was  to  be  received  before  Christmas. 

So  we  talked  that  over,  and  decided  we  would  like  Lady  Sophia 
to  consider  her  exploration  of  avenues  satisfactorily  accomplished, 
and  to  ask  me  to  ask  the  Sergeant  to  ask  her  to  ask  him. 

I concluded,  therefore,  the  same  night,  when  I came  in  and  found 
that  Barbara  and  he  were  waiting  and  wanted  to  see  me,  that  they'd 
called  about  that. 

The  room  was  rather  dark,  and  they  were  sitting  with  their  backs 
to  the  light,  so  I didn't  see  them  clearly. 

The  Sergeant  stood  up.  He  had  an  evening  paper  in  his  hand. 

**  I regret  to  say " he  began,  and  his  voice  made  me  jump.  44 1 

— perhaps  you've  not  seen  the  paper — there's  a bit  of  bad  news " 

I looked  at  Barbara  more  closely. 

44  My  dear  girl,"  I said,  going  to  her, 44  what's  the  matter  ?" 

She  broke  into  a tempest  of  tears.  I took  her  hands,  but  she 
pulled  them  away. 

44  Oh,  never  mind  me  /"  she  cried.  44  Ask  him.  Make  him  show 
you.  Be  quick” 


i6g 


• MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

She  pushed  me  towards  the  Sergeant. 

He  showed  me  a paragraph.  The  CorporaFwas  arrested  on  a 
charge  of  murdering  Nellie  Smarle,  somewhere  in  Rotherhithe. 
He'd  acknowledged  it  ♦ ♦ ♦ he'd  sat  on  the  head  of  the  stairs  and 
waited,  apparently,  to  be  taken. 

I couldn't  assimilate  that  for  a minute,  especially  as  I was  afraid 
Barbara  was  going  to  be  ill. 

“ Go  to  the  kitchen,"  I said  to  the  Sergeant.  44  Fetch  a cup  of 
tea.  Nothing  else.  And  then  get  a taxi." 

The  strain  of  the  last  few  months  had  been  quite  too  much  for 
her,  and  the  crash  of  the  enormous  hopes  she'd  been  building  for  the 
Corporal  had  left  her  without  any  power  of  thinking.  However, 
she  drank  her  tea,  and  we  took  her  back  to  the  Convent.  I had 
unlimited  trust  in  the  Reverend  Mother,  and  I put  her  in  safe  hands. 

“ It's  impossible  for  her  to  sleep  yet,"  I said,  44  or  to  rest.  But 
I think  if  you  make  the  Stations  of  the  Cross  with  her,  that'll  be  best. 
She'll  need  that.  Then  judge  for  yourself.  If  she  needs  a sleeping 
draught,  try  one.  And  I should  think  a good  deal  of  work — Christ- 
mas work — as  soon  as  possible.  I'll  wire  for  Lady  Sophia.  She'll 
give  what  even  you  can't.  Reverend  Mother,  and  you  will  what  she 
can't." 

“ Now,"  I said,  when  the  Sergeant  and  I got  outside  again, 44  tell 
me  about  all  this." 

The  poor  man  was  desperate.  It  was  all  his  fault.  Barbara  was 
at  the  Guild  offices  when  the  evening  paper  came,  and  the  Sergeant 
had  glanced  through  it,  and  when  he  saw  the  paragraph  had  cried 
out.  He  cursed  his  lack  of  control,  for  Barbara  had  turned  round 
and  seen  his  face,  and  though  he'd  tried  at  first  to  prevent  her  reading 
it,  she  knew  far  too  well  that  it  wasn't  anything  trivial,  nor  personal 
to  him,  especially  because  he  tried  to  keep  the  paper  away.  With  her 
terrible  intuition,  and  also  because,  I suppose,  she  always  had  the 
Corporal  rather  near  her  consciousness,  she  jumped  to  the  conclusion 
it  was  about  him  and  that  it  was  dreadful.  So,  unable  to  help  himself, 
and  sure  that  he'd  better  be  there  when  she  read  it,  he  handed  the 
paper  over,  and  they  had  come  straight  round  to  our  house,  and  had 
waited  an  appalling  hour  for  my  return. 

The  morning  paper  added  next  to  nothing,  and  after  turning  over 
a number  of  plans  for  getting  at  the  Corporal,  a grotesque  inspiration 
reached  me  that  I'd  better  try  Cecil  Calthrop.  So  I wired  to  ask 
if  I could  lunch  with  him  in  London  on  Friday,  which  was  the  first 
day  I could  possibly  get  away.  He  wired  back,  characteristically, 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


170 

44  Right  Princes  Grill  Room  One  C absolutely  topping  prospect  see 
you  again  turned  down  lunch  adorable  lady  your  sake  come  mend 
broken  heart  mine  I mean.” 

I arrived  then  in  London  wondering  how  I could  possibly  cope  with 
Cecil  Calthrop,  and  made  my  way  to  Prince's. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  stairs,  the  pontifical  personage  established 
there  asked  me  with  contemptuous  deference  if  I wanted  a table  for 
one.  I asked  if  Mr.  Calthrop  hadn't  engaged  one  for  two.  Every 
line  of  his  face  and  body  altered  and  he  enquired  if  I meant  the 
Honourable  Cecil,  and  I said  yes,  and  a small  army  of  waiters 
appeared  from  nowhere  and  removed  as  much  of  my  clothing  as 
they  decently  could  and  then  escorted  me  to  a corner  table,  where  I 
sat  down  and  waited.  The  contrast  between  Prince's  and  Cecil, 
and  Frank,  wherever  he  was,  began  to  get  on  my  nerves,  when  a 
little  after  one  a fearful  commotion  upstairs  indicated  the  boy's 
approach. 

44  Sorry,  sorry,  sorry,”  he  began,  pulling  off  his  gloves,  and  tossing 
his  raiment  right  and  left  into  expectant  arms.  44  Only  just  up. 
Nervous  wreck.  Debaucheries  of  the  metropolis.  Drinks,  please. 
Two  mixed  vermouths : slightly  more  French  than  Italian;  and  wash, 
mind  you,  merely  wash  the  glasses  with  gin  first.  And  book  of  the 
words,  please.” 

At  this  point  he  collapsed  into  his  chair,  and  at  last  looked  at  me. 
He  frowned. 

44  Ah,”  said  he.  44  Business  evidently.  Bad  business,  I'm  afraid. 
Not  yet.  Father.  You've  a little  time  to  spare  after  feeding,  haven't 
you  ? Let's  start  on  oysters.  Manage  two  dozen  ? One  ? right; 
two  dozen  oysters  natural,  to  push  off  with.  Then  out-of-works. 
Friday,  isn't  it  ? We  make  meagre,  waiter.  To  be  followed  by 
Soles  at  the  female  miller.  Trite,  but  palatable.  Omelette  at  the 
rum  flamboyant.  Suit  you.  Father  ? Mushroom  savoury.  And 
drinks  ? not  fizzy ♦ Ostentatious  at  lunch  and  unsuitable  to  Advent. 
White,  anyway.  No.  122,  please.  Ah ! Admire  the  brown  bread 
and  butter.  They  know  how  I like  it  cut:  a mere  film.  Difficult 
to  hold,  but  the  only  way.  . . .” 

He  prattled  continuously  during  the  meal  and  stopped  me  when 
I tried  to  talk  of  what  I'd  come  for. 

44  The  Corporal  ?”  he  asked.  44  Of  course  it  is.  No  need  to  tell 
me.  Eat,  there's  a good  man.  And  don't  talk  till  coffee.” 

Coffee  came,  and  he  looked  with  distaste  at  the  liqueur-list. 

44  Cura^oa,”  he  said,  44  even  with  half  brandy,  would  be  cloying 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  171 

after  that  lunch.  Either  pure  brandy,  or  I think,  since  we've  had 
no  sweets,  Allasch.  They  have  a couple  of  bottles  left,  which  they 
keep  for  me.  Know  Allasch  ?" 

“ Kummel,  isn't  it  ?"  I said. 

“ Tut,"  said  he.  44  This  is  the  real  stuff.  Hummel's  crystal  and 
emeralds  looking  through  it;  the  really  real  Allasch  is  diamonds, 
emeralds,  and  a flash  of  genuine  sapphires  in  it.  . ♦ . Now  then, 
what's  the  matter  ?" 

I told  him  in  outline. 

He  said  44  Aha,"  and  brooded. 

I said: 44  I thought  your  father  would  perhaps  get  us  on  to  some- 
body. I want  to  know  where  Frank  is;  and  I want  to  communicate 
with  him  at  once;  and,  in  fact,  see  him;  and  I don't  want  a warder 
present;  and  if  there  has  to  be  one,  I want  it  to  be  conveyed  to  him 
unofficially  that  he's  to  be  out  of  earshot.  I've  had  too  much  of 
talking  to  prisoners  on  opposite  sides  of  a table  with  a warder  at  the 
end  of  it.  With  Frank  Newnes  it  would  be  fatal.  Here's  a name  or 
two,"  I added,  pushing  a list  across  to  him, 44  which  I thought  might 
be  useful." 

He  read  it,  put  it  to  one  side,  and  meditated  till  his  cigarette  went 
out. 

Then  he  said: 

44  Dearest  papa's  no  good.  He  doesn't  like  me  just  now.  And 
anyhow  he  wouldn't." 

He  thought  again.  Then  he  roused  himself. 

44  Paper  l"  he  cried,  and  the  waiter,  Heaven  knows  whence,  pro- 
duced quite  a lot. 

He  wrote  a number  of  messages. 

44  Get  those  off  quick,"  he  said.  44  Make  sure  of  the  car  first, 
and  the  one  to  Mr.  Penruddock.  Teddy  Penruddock's  the  best  we 
can  do,"  he  said  to  me.  44  Frightful  rip,  but  an  Ai  Catholic  at  heart. 
Run  round  with  him  a lot,  but  always  say  good-night  at  a certain 
moment.  I've  told  him  to  be  in  at  all  costs  from  3 p.m.  on.  Else 
he  may  be  resting  between  lunch  and  cocktail  time.  He'll  get  us 
through  to  Sir  Hubert,  and  he  will  to  Eck  and  Ecclesleigh,  and  if  he 
can't  do  what  we  want,  no  one  can." 

44  I know  Hughie  Eck,"  I said. 

44  Aha ! Well,  he's  as  good  a papist  as  they  make  'em,  though 
orthodox.  He  and  your  Sergeant'd  make  a good  couple." 

He  remained  drumming  with  his  fingers  on  the  table,  till,  after  a 
very  short  time  really,  the  waiter  announced  the  car. 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


172 

It  was  bright  purple,  and  torpedo  shaped,  and  after  we'd  lain  down 
in  it,  it  shot  away  at  nerve-wracking  speed  towards  the  Embankment* 

It  was  easy  to  find  where  the  Corporal  was,  and  we  then  turned 
back  into  Whitehall* 

44  What  a life  !"  Cecil  lamented*  And  he  gave  me  an  outline  of 
his  doings  lately.  “Absolutely  shattering  to  the  nervous  system: 
Sanatogen  the  only  thing*  Absolutely  flattened  out,  I am*"  He  began 
to  murmur  a sort  of  hymn  to  Sanatogen,  and  with  the  fantastic 
perversity  of  a day  large  parts  of  which  have  absolutely  vanished 
from  my  memory,  the  rhymes  fixed  themselves  maddeningly  in  my 
brain* 

“ Sanatogen  ! the  latter  men  are  flatter  then  ? What  matter  when 
Sanatogen  is  there  to  make  'em  fat  again  1 Sanatogen  ! A cat  or 
hen,  a rat  or  wren  will  thrive  upon  Sanatogen  ! Sanatogen  1 The 
Upper  Ten  grow  sane  upon  Sanatogen*  ♦ ♦ ♦"  A policeman  held 
out  his  arm*  We  halted  under  it*  44  Oh  batter  scatter  shatter  men, 
but  leave  me  my  Sanatogen  1"  said  Cecil  to  the  policeman,  wTho 
nearly  arrested  us  as  lunatics* 

The  subsequent  interviews  were  at  least  a nightmare,  and  sanity 
seemed  not  to  return  till  we  went  to  Lord  Eck's  room*  His  huge 
serenity  forced  into  shape  the  situation,  which  the  mask  of  im- 
becility donned  by  Mr*  Penruddock,  and  Sir  Hubert's  champing 
annoyance,  had  driven  quite  out  of  my  grasp* 

It  was  scarcely  four  when  the  purple  car,  ghostly  now  in  the 
shadows  and  hectic  under  the  lights,  glided  southwards  once  again* 

The  prison  loomed  up,  an  absurd,  cynically  decorative,  castle, 
cruelly  different  from  the  rigorous  paint,  plaster,  and  steel  of  its 
interior. 

44 1 won't  come  in,"  said  Cecil*  44  Hughie's  letter's  good  enough* 
I'd  contribute  nothing;  they  might  conceivably  think  me  cheeky* 
I'll  buzz  round,"  he  added,  44  to  a convent  or  two.  Get  the  nuns 
busy,  and  some  kiddies  on  to  it,  what  ? Now  don't  you  talk.  Father* 
Less  you  say,  the  better,  I reckon." 

He  pulled  his  great  bowler  off,  and  waited,  vivid  in  the  headlights, 
with  his  purple  overcoat,  his  black  and  white  check  tie  and  trousers, 
and  his  bronze-purple  socks  and  soft  brown  shoes* 

I knew  he  wanted  my  blessing*  I gave  it,  and  he  returned  to 
dance  on  the  tightrope  of  his  temperament  over  the  gulf  of  London* 

After  another  interview,  I was  taken  down  to  a room  I knew 
already*  I loathed  its  sea-green  walls,  with  their  chocolate  dado, 
edged  with  orange* 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  173 

44  I'll  go  and  give  instructions,  sir/'  said  the  warder*  “ I trust 
you  to  be  tactful*  And  should  he  be  a bit  light-headed,  look  to  me*" 
“ Oh;  trust  me*"  I said*  “ And  he'll  be  all  right  after  the  first 
minute  or  two*" 

After  a quarter  of  an  hour  he  returned  with  Frank,  who  already 
had  the  prisoner's  cowed  way  of  not  looking  at  things*  When  he 
saw  me  he  became  quite  grey  and  steadied  himself  by  the  table* 
The  warder  watched  him  carefully* 

I took  his  hands  and  said,  44  Hullo,  Frank*" 

He  licked  his  lips* 

44  Hullo*  Found  me,  'ave  you  ?" 

44  Sure*  This  was  the  first  day  I could  get  down*" 

44  Seen  it  in  the  papers,  I reckon  ?" 

44  Sergeant  saw  it !"  I said,  smiling* 

“ Huh  ! Sergeant ! Through  with  me,  I reckon,  ain't  he  ?" 

44  No  more  than  I am*" 

Then  at  last  he  studied  me,  and  his  hands  in  mine  became 
alive* 

44  It's  really  you,  wot's  come  ?" 

44  Of  course  it  is*  Who  else  ? Me,  right  enough*" 

He  coughed,  and  sat  down  on  the  edge  of  the  table,  still  watching 
my  eyes  carefully,  and  with  his  lips  compressed*  Then: 

“ I done  it,  you  know,"  he  said* 

The  warder,  who  was  just  going  down  the  room,  halted  nervously* 
“ With  these  hands,"  said  the  boy,  looking  at  them  almost,  you'd 
have  said,  as  strange  to  him*  So  I held  them  harder  till  the  physical 
sensation  cut  across  his  thought* 

Then  I sat  down  beside  him  on  the  table,  and  the  warder  went  quite 
to  the  end  of  the  room* 

“ Know  where  I'm  feeling  myself  to  be  ?" 

" Where  ?" 

44  'Ospital*  But  you  wait*  Better  nor  that*  Years  an'  years 
be'ind  the  'ospital*  Couldn't  call  me  Corporal,  you  couldn't*  Kid, 
if  you  choose*  Reg'lar  kid.  I'm  become*  Kiddie  Newnes*  But 
kid  in  'ospital*  Because  'ospital  was  where  I knew  you,  see  ? Knew 
me  in  'ospital,  you  did;  but  never  me  as  kid*  Yet  that's  me  now* 
So — me,  kid;  and  us,  in  'ospital,  see  ?" 

I began  to  see* 

44  'Ospital  first,"  he  went  on  ; 44  'ow's  all  the  boys  ?" 

44  Hallinan's  happy,"  I said*  “ I heard  from  them;  sort  of  pre- 
Christmas  good  wishes*  Taffy's  happy*  Still  gardening  in  Scotland* 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


174 

No  relapse*  Very  few  of  the  men  are  the  same*  None  in  your 
ward*  Filled  up  with  ex-soldiers  of  the  county  regiments  mostly/' 
44  An'  Sergeant  ? You  mentioned  Sergeant  ?" 

44  He's  getting  married  ! He's  settling  down  in  London*  He 
sends  you  his  love*" 

“ Huh  ! Never  nothing  but  settled/'  said  he,  smiling,  44  wasn't 
Sergeant*  His  love,  did  he  ?"  and  he  broke  off,  meditating* 

44  So  did  Miss  Barbara,"  I said,  rather  anxious  about  what  he'd 
recollect*  But  his  mind  went  straight  back  behind  the  Fair  to  her 
first  Christmas  visit,  two  years  ago  now,  all  but  a very  few  days* 

44  'Er  love  ?"  he  repeated*  44  An'  me  ready  to  kiss  'er  shoes,  and 
always  was*  Sun,  moon,  an'  stars,  she  was,  says  Private  Snell,  and 
I ain't  forgotten  it*  Right  for  once,  was  Snell*  Wot'll  you  say  to 
'er  from  me  ?" 

44  I'll  say  you  thank  her  for  it,  and  that  you'll  keep  remembering 
it,  and  that  she  can  trust  you*  Her  father  died  quite  lately,  and  she 
wants  friends  she  can  rely  on*" 

He  looked  at  me,  feeling  himself  again,  and  smiled  wryly* 

44  That's  for  'ospital,"  said  he*  44  But  be'ind  all  that  'ave  I gone* 
Call  me  kid  if  it  pleases  you*  Dreamin'  dreams,  I am,  of  where  I'd 
like  to  go  to*  Always  restless,  as  a kid,  an'  if  it  hadn't  been  for 
London,  there'd  be  nowhere  I 'adn't  seen  by  now*  Guessed  it  all, 
I did*  Guessed  it,  an'  then  the  advertisements*  Canada*  Snow, 
and  nothin'  but  snow,  an'  grey  sky  an'  flamin'  sunset*  Oo  ! An' 
big  boots  an'  furry  gloves,  an'  me  free  an'  drinkin'  in  the  frost*  And 
India  an'  Shanghai  an'  deserts  1 Gold  an'  scarlet,  an'  the  drums, 
an'  bells  an'  them  queer  temples  an'  the  sunlight*  Me  blinkin'  in 
the  sunlight*  Huh ! Stretching  meself  naked  to  the  heat  1 Not 
a ounce  o'  flesh  on  me  that  shouldn't  be*  Alive  all  through  meself  ! 
All  round  the  world,  I am,  since  I been  in  here*" 

44  Was  that  what  you  always  wanted  ?" 

44  Always  something  else ,"  said  he, 44  same  as  you  said  to  the  Aussie, 
or  'e  told  me*  An'  when  all's  said  an'  done,  still  somethin'  else* 
And,"  said  he,  44  there'll  be  no  London,  now,  to  stop  me  'avin'  it*" 
I didn't  know  how  to  break  in  on  that* 

He  turned  round,  radiant* 

44  There  ain't  no  London  in  the  way,"  he  said*  44  There  ain't 
no  shop,  nor  no  pub,  nor  yet  there  ain't  no  lock  upon  me*  Locked, 
I was*  Locked  even  in  'ospital*  The  key's  turned  an'  out  I've 
come.  Handcuffs  gone;  equipment  gone;  free  as  the  air,  inside  o 9 
my  head.  Free,  I am." 


175 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

I still  wasn't  sure  how  far  he  was  hysterical* 

44  The  words  you'll  say  to  me  now/'  he  said,  44  I can  let  'em  in* 
In  already  if  you  asks  me*  An'  I talks  to  God,  an'  I hears  Tm* 
Why  not  ? 'Cos  there  ain't  no  London  in  me  'ead,  nor  yet  no  shop, 
nor  yet  no  me  * ♦ ♦ see  wot  I mean  ? None  of  the  me  as  was  always 
play-acting  to  be  me;  getting  in  'twixt  you  an'  the  me  I am,  the 
original  and  one  and  only  Frank,  underneath  me  dreams  and  me 
thoughts  an'  the  bluff  an'  the  play-actin';  an'  if  it's  you  that's  'ere, 
then  you  an'  me  meets  proper,  and  I'm  free  to  act  as  you  bid*" 

44  You  believe  in  God  ? You  pray,  Frank  ?" 

“ Huh  1 When  didn't  I ? Every  time*  Pray  ? Always  prayin' 
was  the  me  the  other  me  had  its  foot  on  the  mouth  of*  Christ  ? 
Far-ther,  I tell  you,  after  I done  it,  the  'ole  world  bust  up  round  me* 
Shell  into  a dug-out  wasn't  nothing  to  it*  I come  out  of  that  room 
like  as  if  I'd  been  buried  afore  the  shell  come,  and  it  blows  me  out 
o'  the  black  an'  stiflin'  heat  into  the  air*  An'  I goes  an'  sits  on  the 
stairs*  And  Christ,  He  comes  and  sits  beside  me*  Takes  me 
'ands,  'E  does,  same  as  you  do,  and  strokes  top  of  me  head  and  back 
o'  me  neck,  and  best  of  all,  looks  at  me,  'E  does;  into  me  eyes,  an* 
no  sham  me  lookin'  back*  * ♦ ♦" 

44  I can't  live  here,  Frank,  you  know*  But  I'll  be  able  to  come 

at  intervals  till — till  something's  settled  and " 

44  You  make  no  mistake,"  said  he*  44  Sergeant  himself  couldn't 
be  more  settled  than  wot  I am*" 

44  Hush*  I'll  call  on  the  chaplain,  and  explain  that  you're  to  be 
instructed " 

44  Entered  meself  R*C*,"  he  interrupted* 

44  Very  well*  He'll  finish  your  instruction*  And  then  I'll  come 
and  receive  you  into  the  Church  and  give  you  your  communion*" 

“ Communion  ?"  he  said*  44  Goin'  all  day  to  it,  I am*  Christ, 
'E  kisses  me*" 

I gave  him  my  rosary* 

“ You  just  keep  this  if  you  may,"  I said*  “ I'm  not  quite  sure* 
Just  hang  on  to  it  while  possible*  I'll  arrange  with  the  chaplain  so 
as  to  know  if  there's  anything  special  happening*  Do  whatever 
you're  doing  as  hard  as  you  can * Be  quite  sure  you're  going  to 
sleep*  See  ? When  you  go  to  bed,  sleep * Be  sure  you'll  sleep* 
Without  dreaming*  And  occupy  your  mind  with  what  the  chaplain 
says*  Work,  and  think  that  over  coolly,  and  sleep  when  you're  told 
to*  Promise?" 

He  laughed  a little* 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


176 

44  You're  afraid  for  me  'ead,"  he  said,  44  Don't  you  worry. 
That's  all  right.  Swingin'  about  I am  a bit,  wot  with  one  thing 
givin'  me  such  a shove,  an'  then  another.  But  steady  I am,  inside. 
Somethin'  holdin'  me.  Don't  you  worry," 

All  the  same,  he  quite  suddenly  went  chalk-white.  His  face 
glistened  with  sweat,  and  he  caught  hold  of  my  coat, 

“ You'll  be  with  me  when  necessary  ?"  he  said, 

44  I promise," 

44  An'  you'll  be  thinkin'  of  me  all  the  while  from  now  on  ?" 

44  As  far  as  it's  humanly  possible.  I'll  arrange  for  someone  to  be 
thinking  of  you  all  the  time.  Kiddies  or  nuns  or  someone , In  the 
presence  of  our  Lord  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament," 

44  Ah,"  said  he,  recovering,  44 1 'ave  'Im  with  me.  Forgot,  I 
did,  for  a moment.  Reckon  'E  don't,  though," 

£/  So  I left] him  for*a  while. 


Chapter  XVIII 

WHEN  the  due  time  came  an  arrangement  was  arrived  at 
and  I was  able  to  establish  myself  on  a footing  which 
enabled  me  to  see  as  much  of  Frank  as  I wished* 

We  used  to  sit  side  by  side  on  his  brown-blanketed  bed  with  the 
tiny  window  on  our  left,  the  door  with  its  observation  hole  to  the 
right,  and  the  blank  wall  opposite,  three  feet  or  so  away,  and  nothing 
assuredly  to  distract  us*  At  other  times  I sat  on  the  foot  of  the  bed, 
and  he  cross-legged  at  the  head  of  it  and  leaning  back*  Sometimes, 
when  his  nerves  were  altogether  too  much  for  him,  he  lay  flat,  though 
he  never  spoke  about  that  sort  of  feeling,  or  perhaps  not  more  than 
twice  altogether* 

This  extraordinary  lad  had,  as  he  said,  recovered  his  boyishness 
more  than  I'd  thought  possible  in  a man;  for  though  he'd  seemed 
at  first  of  the  sort  that  seems  destined  never  to  grow  old,  and  then 
does  quite  suddenly,  it  wasn't  a boy's  look  that  had  flashed  in  his 
squirrel's  eyes,  but  either  the  rather  dreadful  air  of  a clever  animal, 
that  might  claw  you  suddenly,  or,  an  exhausting  experience  which 
had  aged  him  more,  by  far,  than  any  years  could* 

But  now,  his  eyes  shone  rather  than  flashed,  and  he  kept  breaking 
into  the  most  gentle  and  bewildering  smiles,  even  when  he  said 
what  you'd  have  thought  to  be  dictated  by  despair*  To  tell  the 
truth,  he  had  despaired  long  ago  and  comprehensively  of  himself 
and  the  whole  of  the  gifts  of  life* 

The  first  time  we  had  met  under  the  new  conditions,  he  said, 
looking  at  me  out  of  the  corner  of  his  eyes : 

44  Funny  how  we've  both  of  us  got  our  way  1" 

44  Have  we  ?" 

44  Me  bein'  able  to  see  as  much  of  you  as  I want,  an'  all  to  meself*" 
44  It's  odd  how  little  we  ever  have  seen  of  one  another  at  all 
comfortably*" 

“ Oo,  didn't  I hate  old  Sergeant  when  he  first  come  ! Absorbin' 
you  like,  when  I wanted  you  settin'  on  me  bed  same  as  before* 
Always  yappin'  to  Sergeant,  an'  religion  into  the  bargain*" 

177 


12 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


178 

“ I think  I used  to  come  as  much  as  before*  And  I always  used 
to  go  to  dozens  of  others,  anyhow*  And  it  was  a long  time  before 
you  and  I made  what  I call  real  acquaintance*” 

44  Ho  ! An"  didn't  I hate  you  them  first  weeks  after  the  first 
time  of  all,  when  you  wouldn't  come*” 

44  I didn't  want  to  thrust  myself  on  you  !”  I said,  smiling  at  a 
memory* 

44  I knew  that,  for  sure*  But  I'd  kid  meself  you  was  offended 
by  what  I said  first  time — remember  that  ? Them  was  my  cheeky 
days*  When  I sees  you  marchin'  down  the  ward,  black  an'  'oly, 
and  sticks  me  head  up  an'  shouts, 4 Does  Jesus  love  me  ? Ah-men,' 
an'  you  nips  round  and  collars  me  hard  by  the  ear,  an'  says,  grinnin', 
but  lookin'  at  me  like  gimlets,  4 I expects  'E  does,  but  you  don't 
sound  like  one  of  my  lads*  I'm  a R*C*  priest,'  and  I couldn't 
answer  nothin',  swelp  me  ! I hadn't  nothin'  to  say*  An'  you  sits 
there  and  fires  off  a string  o'  questions  at  me  as  though  I were  under 
arrest,  but  grinnin'  quiet,  and  then  you  'ops  it,  an'  fer  days  after 
that  you  no  more  than  nodded  sharp  as  you  went  by,  but  grinnin', 
an'  me  gettin'  wild  at  bein'  take  no  more  notice  of,  till  the  time 
when  they  was  all  of  'em  asleep  save  me,  an'  I says  for  you  to  come 
an'  'ave  a yarn*  And  wasn't  I ready  to  knife  you  for  makin'  me 
say  it  first !” 

44 1 felt  sure  you  would*  I always  liked  your  wide-awake  eyes, 
Frank,  and  your  old  forelock,”  I said* 

“ Not  much  of  fim  left,”  he  said,  with  that  detachment  which 
kept  appalling  me* 

“ But  how  have  I got  my  way  ? D'you  mean  you  accepting  to  be 
taught  the  Catholic  Faith  ? Certainly  I'm  grateful  to  God  for  that*” 
44  Aw*  But  for  why  do  I accept  it  ? Remember  wot  you  said  in 
that  old  church  when  you  was  starin'  at  that  big  cross  'angin'  in 
mid-air  like  ? 4 Reckon  you've  got  to  be  brought  right  down,'  you 

says,  and  you  repeats  it, 4 right  down  first*'  An'  that  was  ice  in  my 
veins,”  said  he,  for  the  first  time  with  a little  shudder*  44  That  were 
a real — well,  I mean  that  changed  somethin'*  I wouldn't  let  on,  an' 
kidded  I was  indignant  with  you  for  so  much  as  suggesting  me  not 
succeedin',  see  ? From  then  on,  I knew  I wouldn't*  Ho  ! Sure  on 
it*  I foresees  it  all;  me  tumblin'  down  a cliff  like,  an'  catchin'  an' 
catchin'  at  the  twigs  and  the  stones,  an'  all  cornin'  out  in  me  'ands, 
an'  breakin'  off,  an'  me  fetchin'  up  flat  at  the  bottom,  all  me  bones 
broken*  But  that  were  a thought  as  went  through  an'  went  down 
an'  stayed  under,  somewhere  in  the  marrow  of  me  mind,  in  a manner 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  179 

o'  speaking  an'  for  weeks  'e  didn't  come  up  again,  though  there  'e 
was,  sleepin,'  an'  then  'alf-wakin'  an'  stretchin*  hisself,  and  growin' 
strong*  ♦ * ♦ Quite  a big  boy  'e  become,  that  old  thought,  afore 
'e'd  'arf  done*" 

“ Meanwhile,  you  went  on  pretending  he  didn't  exist  and  really 
fighting  him*" 

44  Fought  him  in  this  very  church,"  said  he,  oddly,  and  feeling 
himself  actually  back,  I think,  in  the  Cathedral*  44  I knew  it  was 
offerin'  me  somethin',  was  this  old  church,  as  I told  you,  an'  I says, 

4 Naow  / Whatever  it  is,  I won't  'ave  it*  I'll  'ave  me  shop*  I will 
'ave  that  shop*'  An'  I did;  long  as  I did  'ave  it*  * ♦ *"  He  sighed  a 
little* 

44  When  I says,"  he  resumed, 44  that  were  the  first  occasion,  I mean, 
that's  the  first  occasion  as  he  went  right  in*  But  there  never  was  a 
time  when  'e  weren't  floatin'  around  an'  settlin'  in  a little  way*  Fer 
now,  Far-ther,  you  listen*  This  is  it*  I ain't  sorry  fer  'avin'  been 
brought  right  down,  not  fer  this  reason,  if  fer  no  other*  I'm  down 
on  bed-rock  an'  not  in  mid-air,  an'  if  I sounds  talkin'  silly,  you  wait* 
That  there  Cross,  it  'ad  the  right  to  be  in  mid-air,  an'  if  you  think 
that's  sillier,  you  wait  again,  an'  I'll  tell  you*  For  that's  number 
two  1" 

“ Well,  tell  away*" 

“ Well,  you  knows  the  restless  lad  I was,  an'  am,  for  sure*  Though 
I've  give  over  seein'  them  pictures  o'  Canada  an'  such  as  I told 
you  on  first  time  you  come  'ere*  Well,  I wouldn't  go  right  down, 
not  to  nothin' ♦ Wot  do  I mean  ? Not  to  the  real  truth  o'  things, 
not  about  God,  not  about  me,  not  about  me  job,  nor  me  pals,  nor 
girls,  nor  money,  nor  nothink*  I always  was  some'ow  cuttin'  me 
antics  in  mid-air  an'  wondering  'ow  long  I could  stop  there*  For 
why  ? 'Cos  I knew  inside  me  I was  'oldin'  meself  up  in  mid-air  by 
me  own  teeth,  in  a manner  o'  speakin'*  That's  acrobats  for  you  ! 
Reg'lar  acrobat  in  life,  I was*  'Itchin'  meself  up  by  the  seat  o'  me 
own  trousers  an'  'an gin'  myself  on  a peg  I was  sustainin'  in  me  other 
'and*  Nonsense,  any  such  a life  is*  An'  lonely  ! Strewth  ! Never 
nothin'  else,  I wasn't*  But  wilful  to  he  lonely*  Proud  of  it*  But 
perishin'  from  cold,  to  tell  truth,  fair  starved  with  it*" 

44  You  were  unlike  other  people,  Frank;  people  who  are  4 different ' 
are  bound  to  be  lonely*  Because  of  your  vitality,  I suppose*  The 
tremendous  buck  you  put  into  things*  And  never  went  on  at  one 
thing  long  enough  to  get  sick  of  it  and  do  it  half-heartedly*  Then 
the  war  and  your  wound  tired  you  inside  your  mind,  as  I always  told 


i8o 


MR,  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


you,  though  you  only  believed  it  once  in  a way.  But  when  you  were 
walking  about  and  trying  for  a job,  and  had  a succession  of  little 
knocks,  and  didn't  find  the  success  you  needed,  the  vitality  ran  out, 
and  you  didn't  do  things  instinctively  any  more,  but  laboriously, 
with  definite  conscious  choices;  and  they  ceased  to  be  effective. 
In  a sense,  as  long  as  your  absurd  old  forelock  was  a spontaneous 
result  of  your  you-ness — see  ? — it  was  a very  lovable  old  forelock; 
but  once  you  began  to  trade  on  it  and  try  to  live  up  to  it,  so  to  say, 
well — that  meant  it  had  become  a mere  stunt.  You'd  ceased  to  have 
the  power  to  do  your  acrobatics  naturally," 

44  Don't  you  go  criticizin'  my  forelock,"  said  he,  smiling  with  the 
corners  of  his  eyes,  44  For  it  was  a good  friend  to  me  many  a time, 
an'  I nourished  it  most  affectionate.  But  'ow  can  you  go  tickin' 
me  off  for  usin'  my  will  an'  not  livin'  on  the  instinck  o'  the  moment  ? 
Weren't  that  the  very  thing  you  was  always  wishful  for  me  to  do  ? 
Get  the  golden  thread  to  'ang  on  to,  an'  not  drift  ? Choose  strong, 
and  not  be  shoved  ? 'Ow  about  old  Tomlinson  ?" 

He  suddenly  doubled  himself  up  on  the  bed  and  clutched  his 
head,  but  rose  up  quickly,  though  with  his  face  haggard, 

44  I were  thinkin'  of  them  rides  in  the  chair  an'  the  movies,"  said 
he,  deprecatingly,  44  an'  them  old  tea-rooms,  an*  you  an'  me.  But 
huh  ! Wot's  the  matter  with  this  ? Ain't  this  you'n  me,  same  as 
ever  ? An'  samer," 

44  Well,  I think,  using  your  will  and  thinking  was  necessary.  But 
I also  think  its  first  effect  would  be  to  bring  you  down  a lot.  It's 
a blood-curdling  thing,  at  first,  to  see  right  through  one's  self  and 
one's  life.  And  that  will  or  no  will,  one  can't  manage  life.  And  that 
the  only  thing  one  has  a chance  of  managing  is  one's  inside  soul; 
and  that  you  can't  manage  that,  alone.  Grip  yourself  grimly 
together  into  some  sort  of  shape,  you  can,  or  for  a while  you  can. 
But  you  know  that  life  needs  more  than  grimness;  and  besides,  you 
may  come  to  hate  the  shape,  hate  your  success  and  your  will — for 
what's  it  for  ? If  my  success  is  useless,  why  succeed  ?" 

“ Ar,  don't  touch  on  that  side  o'  things.  Wastin'  precious  time. 
For  I'm  not  doin'  that  no  more,  I went  right  down  on  the  pavement 
an'  there  I lay,  an'  the  walkers  trampled  over  me  to  an'  fro;  but  God, 
fE  looked  down  through  the  gas-light  and  'twas  my  eyes  and  'Is  , , ♦ 
starin'  at  one  another;  an'  I blinks  a bit;  an'  I screws  me  own  up 
tight,  and  then  blink  again,  an'  then — " he  laughed  outright — 44  I 
winks;  winks  back.  Wink  of  recognition  like.  Recognize  a pal. 
For  I were  *appy,  lyin'  under  the  'oofs  an'  the  boots,  an'  God's  eyes 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  181 

on  mine*  But  p'raps  I'm  goin'  a bit  too  fast  * * * 'twasn't  till 
quite  the  end,  an'  after  the  end,  as  I knew  that,  an'  kept  me  own 
eyes  steady*  ♦ ♦ *" 

* * * * * 

Another  time  he  said: 

“ Wot's  queer  about  me  is  this*  I seem  to  'ave  jumped  right  onto 
the  things  you  wanted  me  to  jump  onto  without  seein'  'ow  I got 
there*  'Ere  I am,  an'  nothing'll  push  me  off*  But  'ow  I got  there, 
'oo  knows  ? I sees  in  a manner  'ow  I got  down,  I don't  mean  down 
to  doin'  what  I never  thought  I would  do  nor  could,  for  I never 
wanted  to  'urt  no  one,  not  to  say  *urt  ; but  down  to  the  solid;  down 
out  o'  mid-air : down  to  where  God  is  and  meself*  But  Jesus  Christ  ? 
Ar*  'Ow  I got  to  'Im,  I dunno*  But  'ere  'E  is*" 

“ He  is  ?" 

“ Sits  on  me  bed,"  said  he* 

I looked  carefully  at  him;  but  though  there  was  a half  scared  look 
in  his  eyes,  it  wasn't  an  inmost  scare,  if  I may  attempt  to  express 
theinexpressible,  nor  a fear  of  that  Presence  itself,  but  the  little  scare 
that  comes  with  all  puzzlement,  and  he  was  puzzled  how  the  un- 
mistakable Christ  had  come  there* 

“ Sits  on  me  bed,"  he  said*  **  An'  walks  about  in  the  yard  with 
me*  Doesn't  talk;  but  'E  eats  and  'E  drinks  in  me  bowl;  an'  'E 
'olds  me  hands,  same  as  you  do*  But  don't  you  go  for  to  be  proud," 
he  said,  smiling, 44  'cos  you're  a ghost  compared  to  wot  '£  is*" 

I said  the  only  thing  that  came  into  my  head* 

“ I can't  think  what  it  must  have  meant  to  you,  being  so  lonely, 
and  proud  of  being  lonely*  Because  you've  always  wanted  friends* 
How  defiant  you  were,  Frank,  longing  for  friendship  and  always 
pushing  it  off*" 

" 'Fraid  o'  bein'  'ooked,"  said  he,  smiling  again*  44  Now  I meant 
to  'ook  you,  sure  thing;  resolved  upon  it;  but  you  me  ? 
Not  you,  not  in  these  days*  But  sure,  a 'eart  for  me  friends  'ave 
I got,  an'  went  nearest  to  gettin'  'em  when  I chummed  up  with  two 
as  got  killed  as  I told  you  on*  See  ? Nearly  got  it,  but  didn't  last* 
An'  never  'avin'  'ad  no  parents  * * * Mentioned  me  sister,  didn't 
I ? Well,  she  never  weren't  no  sister;  leastways  'arf  sister*  Who 
me  father  was,  I dunno*  An'  after  me,  me  mother  goes  wrong  and 
disappears*  Streets,  I 'spects*  And  so  they  'ates  me,  an'  I'm  give 
over  to  a 'ome,  after  a bit,  but  I were  a little  devil,  for  sure,  and  I 
done  a getaway;  an'  when  I looks  in,  on  and  off,  to  see  my  sister, 
she  don't  want  me,  an'  she  marries,  and  when  you  told  me  I'd  'ave 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


182 

to  look  after  'er,  I nearly  told  you  this  wot  I'm  teilin'  now;  but,  well, 
I shut  meself  up  just  then  and  there,  some'ow  bein'  wishful  you 
should  not  think  me  quite  on  me  lonesome,  but  with  something  to  go 
back  to  or  to  fit  into.  But  never  fit  into  nothin',  I didn't." 

“ But  you  fell  in  love,  Frank,  I'm  sure,  and  soon.  You  told  me 
you  really  had — once." 

44  An'  that's  another  odd  thing,"  said  he.  44  For  at  not  quite 
seventeen  you  don't  think  for  a lad  to  be  able  to  fall  in  love  proper. 
But  I never  was  no  particular  age.  O'  course  I'd  'opped  around  a 
lot  afore  that;  tried  most  things;  but  didn't  bite,  none  o'  that.  But 
— call  it  kid's  love,  if  you  like ; kid's  love  is  real.  Leastways  mine  was. 
An'  then  she  spoils  it;  see  ? Makes  me  lose  me  'ead  with  'er. 
*Nuff  said.  After  that  it  weren't  no  good.  All  the  beauty  gone; 
all  the  fields  withered,  if  you  follows  me,  just  the  same  as  the  rest. 
An',  not  to  exonerate  meself,  'twas  'er  fault,  take  it  all  in  ail.  Not 
mine.  She  done  the  withering." 

44  Did  that  harden  you  ?" 

44  True  for  you.  Nothin'  special,  afore  then,  I wasn't.  Quite 
gentle,  I was,  an'  a bit  of  a dreamer,  though  'oppin'  round  like  mad. 
But  then  I blossoms  out ! Then  I becomes  Kid  Newnes  as  they  all 
on  'em  knew  of.  An'  all  goes  down  before  me.  One  job  after 
another,  and  one  girl  after  another;  quick  change  and  howlin' 
success,  every  time.  And  then;  ar  ! Now  this  is  it,  I reckon.  I 
fall  in  love  again  ! Properly  in ♦ Gertie,  'er  name  was." 

Now  he  looked  really  scared. 

44  I ain't  remembered  this  since.  Leastways  I reckon  I always 
remembered  it,  but  think  of  it  I would  not.  The  devil  he  gets  into 
me.  Nice  girl  she  was,  and  real  lovin'  too.  An'  just  when  all's 
goin'  well,  I says  sudden  to  meself,  Now  it's  my  turn.  I'll  spoil  it, 
tins  time.  Til  do  the  witherin." 

He  narrated  the  tragic  episode,  insisting,  with  extreme  horror  in 
his  voice,  that  his  pleasure  had  been  to  see  the  girl  wilt  and  refuse  to 
believe  it  when  he  said  deliberately  that  he'd  had  enough  of  her 
company,  and  was  through  with  her. 

44  She  hung  on  to  me,  she  did,  sayin',  4 You  don't  mean  it,  Frank  ? 
You'd  never  do  it  ?'  But  I laughs  light,  an'  I says  I'd  been  tryin' 
an  experiment,  and  I goes  off,  screamin'  red  rage  at  meself,  for  that 
was  the  only  real  murder  I ever  done,  an'  'twas  a double  one,  on  'er 
an'  on  me  own  love.  For  I loved  her,  and  murdered  me  love 
deliberate.  Now  no  man  couldn't  do  that,  left  to  'imself.  There- 
fore, 'twas  the  devil  in  me.  And  after  that,  hard i Huh  1 Steel 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  183 

wire,  I was,  all  through  me;  steel  wire  an'  whipcord*  Till  you  comes 
an'  makes  a ravin'  maniac  of  me,  very  near,  in  'ospital*" 

“ A raving  maniac  ?"  I said,  smiling* 

44  Feeling  meself  meltin';  failin'  into  shreds*  Bein'  pulled  to 
shreds*  Not  by  you,  but  by  God  and  Christ,  I reckon,  but  it  were 
you  as  made  it  impossible  for  me  to  keep  away  from  'em,  you  an' 
the  Sergeant  and  that  Aussie*" 

“ Chiefly  Jock*" 

44  Gawd  1"  he  said, 44  that  Jock  ! * * * " 

“ Now,"  he  said, 44  I'll  tell  you  all  you  wants  to  know  about  Nellie 
Smarle*" 

“ Nothing  you  don't  want  to  tell*" 

44  Ar*  I'd  always  tell  wot's  worth  telling*  Well,  that  shop*  I 
told  you  I had  me  teeth  into  that  shop*  It  were  that  or  nothing* 
Leastways,  that,  suicide,  or  you*  And  by  you,  I mean  that  old 
Church  an'  God*  Well,  I did  not  act  crook  by  that  shop,  nor  by 
them  as  I borrowed  off,  whatever  they  may  say*  If  it  'adn't  been  for 
the  boiler  bustin'  an'  ruinin'  arf  the  'ouse  and  me  stock;  an'  a mad 
whim  I 'ad  to  give  a present  to  a girl  wot  was  down  and  out,  for  to 
get  to  'Uddersfield  where  'er  home  was  which  I didn't  ought  to  'ave 
done,  mi  still  owing;  an'  that  pal  o'  mine  wot  I was  at  Brighton  with, 
askin'  sudden  for  'is  money,  which  bein'  a pal  I thought  I 'ad  to 
pay  first;  well,  but  for  that  an'  trade  bein'  rotten  an'  prices  'igh  an' 
fish  bein'  a gamble  anyways.  I'd  'ave  been  there  still*  But  when  all 
that  ker-lapsed,  I really  was  down  an'  out  meself*  For  why  ? 'Adn't 
got  nothin',  and  no  spirit  to  get  it*  An'  I was  down  Eltham  way,  one 
time,  makin'  wot  I could  on  the  edge  of  a fair  there  an'  ready  to  pick 
pockets,  so  desperate  was  I,  when  that  there  Nellie  Smarle  she  sees 
me;  an'  now  this  is  where  I feels  shy,"  said  he  unexpectedly* 

44  Oh,  well;  don't,"  I said* 

“ There's  no  way  o'  puttin'  it  but  one,"  he  said*  44  She  developed 
a passion  for  me,  see  ? Takes  'em  like  that  sudden,  at  times,  specially 
'er  sort*  Fell  in  love  with  me  plonk * Determined  on  it*  An'  offers 
me  a billet  in  'er  show;  Orgies  she  always  'ad;  and  'ad  the  option  of 
them  Gondolas  if  she  could  but  put  down  the  needful*  But  put  it 
down  she  could  not,  not  bein'  able  also  to  pay  the  men  to  work  'em; 
so  corner  me  she  did*  Sees  I'm  starvin';  sees  I'll  work  without  pay 
for  me  grub;  nets  me — talk  of  'ookin  ' ! Offers  me  the  job,  the  grub, 
the  bunk,  an'  'er  lovin'  'eart  into  the  bargain*  And  then  she  can 
manage  the  premium  for  them  Gondolas*  So  mopped  up  I was* 
And  that  were  not  the  worst*" 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


184 

" What  was  ?" 

44  Made  a mess  o'  things,  in  a sense,  you  did ,"  he  said,  reflectively* 

44  Bottled  me  up  so  long,  you  did,  though  not  exactly  that,  but 
forcing  me  to  bottle  meself  up,  that  I breaks  out  in  a way  I 'ates  to 
think  on;  for  I falls  in  love  with  'er,  in  a 'ideous  way*  'Ates  it,  I do, 
when  I thinks  on  it*  Yet  so  it  were*  And  I loves  and  I 'ates;  and 
I meets  you  at  the  Fair,  an'  you  drives  me  frantic,  an'  the  moment 
comes  when  after  the  Gondolas  went  bust — for  make  money  on  'em 
I could  not — and  in  the  winter,  well,  there  was  'er  an'  me  in  that  filthy 
room  at  Rotherhithe,  for  stick  to  me  she  would,  spite  of  all,  and  tho* 
scared  of  me  and  'ating  me  like  'ell,  and  me  'er,  and  well,  I comes 
'ome  desperate,  and  she  taunts  me,  an'  she  ridicules  you,  an'  she  says 
I'm  spittin'  in  your  face  each  time  I comes  to  'er  and  that  she's  wiped 
the  street  with  you,  an'  your  superior  ways  an'  your  Jesus  Christ, 
an'  I goes  mad,  real  mad;  I sees  you,  'er,  Gertie  and  me  shop  an'  the 
Church  an'  all  simultaneous,  an'  I takes  'er  by  the  'air,  arid  I — but 
you  knows  the  rest,"  he  said,  and  then  lay  down  quietly. 

44  Is  this  where  Our  Lord  begins  to  come  in  ?" 

44  Sat  by  me  on  the  stairs,"  said  he,  in  a dream*  44  Sat  by  me 
when  the  lodgers  rushed  screaming  up,  an'  there  was  me,  sittin' 
waitin'*  By  me  when  the  coppers  come*  By  me  at  the  station* 
An'  now  on  me  bed*  Sittin'*  Lookin'*" 

44  And  you  like  His  look  ?"  I asked* 

He  turned  towards  me,  quite  simply* 

44  All  bloody,  'E  is*  Oo  ! Down  an'  out  ? Talk  of  *Im  l Couldn't 
be  no  downer*  An'  thin  ! An'  awful  eyes — deep;  black  all  round 
'em*  Struck  'Im  they  'ad*  Torn  at  'Is  'air*  Terrible*  But  fE 
don't  mind*  Glad,  'E  is*  Wouldn't  want  not  to  be*  Knows  as 
I want  'Im  to  be  down*  Further  down  nor  me*  Oo  ! Never  none 
so  deep*" 

He  paused*  The  afternoon  had  darkened,  and  no  sky  shone 
through  the  window*  Only  through  the  door,  the  light  that  forbade 
the  very  nights  to  be  fully  dark,  put  reflections  on  the  walls  and  the 
ceiling.  It  was  good  to  be  thus  stripped;  bare  wall,  bare  walls  and 
roof  and  floor;  the  bed  to  sit  on;  a pail — that  was  all*  And  a silence 
that  you  know  was  silence,  because  of  the  rare  low  sounds  that  came 
across  it — long  sighs  from  the  town  far  off,  very  distant  whistles,  moans 
of  motor  'bus  and  tram;  and  within  the  building,  the  echo  of  the  echo 
of  a footfall,  or  a man  moving  somewhere*  * * * Long  since,  in  the 
summer  evening,  all  gold  and  amethyst,  sounds  had  thus  stolen  up, 
fused  sounds  of  cries  and  songs,  very  distant,  into  the  house  where 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES  185 

Reggie  Orwylstree  had  been  offering  his  crucifixion,  and  had 
ransomed  Blake;  sounds,  pale  lights,  floating  shadows — the  world 
floated  and  the  noises  sighed  themselves  out,  and  the  lights  became 
shadows.  What  was  there,  save  he  and  I ? He,  I,  and  the  Man 
of  Sorrows  sitting  there,  suffering  me  to  hold  the  hands  He  held, 
and  watch  the  face  into  whose  eyes  He  looked,  the  quiet  face,  the 
eyes  too  calm  for  tears,  the  eyes  held  steady  by  those  other  eyes,  too 
deep,  too  penetrating  for  the  blood  and  grime  to  blind  them,  un- 
fathomable eyes,  eyes  of  Christ  that  contained  the  knowledge  of  all 
that  was  in  man, 

Jock,  long  ago,  through  a Christmas  night,  I,  and  the  most  Blessed 
Sacrament,  , ♦ , 

To-night,  Christ,  I,  and  Frank  between  us;  Christ  round  us;  we, 
in  Christ;  I trying  to  see  through  Christ's  eyes;  Frank  reading  him- 
self in  Christ's  eyes,  Christ  watching  Himself  dawn  in  Frank's;  I, 
on  the  knees  of  my  spirit,  trying  to  understand  into  what  mystery 
I was  admitted, 

>jc  jjc 

Another  time  he  said : 

44  Told  you  I'd  have  rejoined  the  army,  if  it  hadn't  been  for  me 
leg.  I've  been  having  pictures  again;  but  not  of  the  fancy  places 
I was  for  travellin'  to.  Real  places;  places  I been  to,  Yardley 
Camp  an'  trainin'.  Good,  it  were.  Real  honest;  real  friendly. 
Nearest  I been  to  friendship,  ♦ ♦ ♦ Picked  up  them  two  pals  at 
Yardley,  Nothin'  very  special,  wasn't  Yardley,  save  for  them. 
Not  harder  nor  I'd  known,  afore.  Mysterious  like,  on  and  off,  when 
you  peered  into  wot's  cornin',  at  night;  France,  trenches,  guns,  bein' 
killed.  But  even  them  visions,  not  dreadful.  Over  the  top,  'atin' 
it,  yet  pal  with  pal,  Fer  the  sake  of  somethin',  you  didn't  know  wot, 
but  oh  ! somethin ' l doin'  somethin'  at  last,  somethin'  real,  somethin' 
with  no  riddle  to  it.  Do  your  duty,  an'  if  you  cops  it,  you  cops  it. 
An'  then  France,  All  the  places,  an'  the  little  woods,  an'  the  grey 
mud,  an'  the  naked  stumps  o'  trees;  an'  the  towns  be'ind,  an'  the 
drunks  an'  the  red  lamps  an'  all;  sure,  all  of  it  l 'Uman  nature  in 
the  raw;  lookin'  at  itself  and  its  memories  and  'opes  from  over  the 
world's  edge,  Oo  ! The  edge  o'  the  world,  and  us  over  it," 

44  It's  grass  again,  Frank,  Grass  and  flowers,  and  the  lines  just 
visible,  and  the  holes  all  but  filled.  And  silence  and  sunlight,  and 
birds,  ♦ , 

44  There  was  birds  then,"  he  said,  reflecting; 44  but  that  was  cruel* 
Crueller  than  the  gunfire.  Mad,  they  sounded," 


1 86 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


“ D'you  know  what  I feel  ?"  I said*  44  It  was  so  much  more  real 
then — so  much  more  of  reality  was  pumped  into  those  places,  than 
there  is  now,  that  what  you  see  now  isn't  what's  really  there*  It's 
all  there,  now,  the  terrific  human  emotions  pumped  into  that  soil — 
the  frightful  human  experiences  gone  through  there,  and  so  incom- 
parably beyond  anything  else  that  ever  happens  there  or  has  or  will 
happen,  that  when  one  goes  back  there,  one  has  no  right  to  be 
conscious  of  anything  else*" 

He  smiled  whimsically* 

44  There's  not  many  that'd  want  to  be  there  twice,  for  all  that," 
he  said*  “ Save  in  the  way  I goes*" 

44  I think  we  go  almost  in  the  same  way*  I thought  I'd  never 
reconcile  myself  to  not  being  there  while  it  was  going  on;  but  there 
was  a lot  of  curiosity  and  selfishness  in  that*  * * ♦" 

44  And  you'd  not  'ave  met  me,"  he  broke  in* 

44  No*  And  I can  honestly  feel  myself  in  communion  with  it* 
The  not  having  sights  and  sounds  doesn't  really  matter*  The  spirit 
is  there,  spirit  good  and  bad,  but,  whatever  they  say,  good  inside  the 
bad,  in  the  cursing  and  hating  and  madness*  And  nothing  inter- 
feres with  the  communion  of  spirit  with  that  spirit.  And  there  was 
more  there,  to  be  in  communion  with,  than  ever  anywhere,  perhaps*" 
44  An'  I goes  round  and  round  through  them  old  places,"  he  con- 
tinued, 44  an'  I remembers  this  and  that,  an'  I am  there,  and  more 
there  nor  I was,  and  in  the  souls  of  'em  I am,  of  me  two  pals,  of  me 
mates,  me  fellow  corporals,  me  officers,  that  was  goin'  through  things 
they've  forgotten,  things  wot  they  never  understood;  but  doin' 
things  inside,  bein'  things,  as  never  they  guessed,  nor  will  do,  till 
they  wakes  up  an'  sees  'ow  Christ  was  along  with  'em,  even  in  all 
that,  even  in  the  'orrors,  an'  the  beastliness*  Blood  from  'ead  to  foot, 
'E  were,  an'  mud;  but  with  'eaven  in  'is  eyes,  like  as  'E  is  now*  An' 
don't  you  call  that  no  mere  mush*  If  that  ain't  true,  nothin'  ain't* 
When'll  I make  my  Communion  ?" 

There  was  little  left  to  teach  him;  nothing  to  prevent  his  Com- 
munion, and  little  time  for  anything* 

So  I received  him  into  the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  absolved  him 
from  the  past,  and  gave  him  the  bread  of  immortality* 

* * * * * 

From  this  time  on,  he  lived  from  Communion  to  Communion, 
and  received  Our  Lord  daily.  At  last,  I told  him  I'd  spend  the  next 
night  with  him,  leaving  him  only  to  say  my  Mass  and  to  bring  back 
the  Blessed  Sacrament*  The  night  was  calm;  we  said  the  whole 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


187 

Rosary,  and  recalled  a strange  mingling  of  his  life  in  hospital  and  of 
the  life  of  Jesus*  Then  he  slept*  He  was  still  sleeping  when  I 
prepared  to  go  to  say  my  Mass*  I woke  him,  to  the  scandal  of  the 
warder,  who  had  wished  him  to  sleep  as  long  as  possible*  But  I 
knew  he  would  want  to  keep  watch  on  Christ's  Calvary,  as  Christ* 
now  for  so  many  days,  had  kept  him  company  on  his  own* 

I had  already  heard  his  confession  during  the  night*  He  made  it 
general  once  more,  and  offered  the  mixed  chalice  of  his  life  to  God, 
that  He  might  transubstantiate  it  into  a blood  fit  for  the  associated 
Sacrifice* 

When  I came  back  he  made  acts  of  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity* 
44  Oh,  my  God,  I believe*  * * ” 

Illusions  faded,  falsehood  fallen  away*  Reality  gazing  upon  him, 
the  substance  of  things  hitherto  invisible*  The  man  who  had  willed 
to  have  none  of  that,  who  had  so  obstinately  denied,  welcomed  the 
truth  now  and  went  to  it* 

Oh,  my  God,  I believe* 

And  oh,  my  God,  I hope  * * * all  that  is  in  me  of  ignorance 
asking  to  be  taught;  of  emptiness,  waiting  to  be  filled;  of  loneliness, 
asking  for  its  friends;  all  of  it,  all  of  me,  hopes  for  what  now  I all 
but  grasp;  what  has  come,  now,  so  very  near;  what  needs  no  struggle, 
now,  from  my  exhaustion,  to  lay  hold  on*  I hope  * * ♦ 

And  oh,  my  God,  I love  l I love  with  all  my  heart;  my  heart  that 
couldn't  find,  couldn't  know,  once,  what  to  love,  couldn't  tell  save 
that  it  wanted  to  love,  and  poured  its  love  out  onto  the  mocking 
idol,  the  distorted  symbol  of  Thyself*  For  Thee  always,  under- 
neath the  image,  my  heart  meant  to  love,  pitifully  betrayed  by  the 
very  symbol  that  so  earnestly  offered  Thee  to  me*  But  now,  the 
image  is  done  with;  finished,  the  symbol;  and  my  heart  can  say  it 
loves  Thee*  * * ♦ 

So,  oh  my  God,  I love* 

Corpus  Domini  Nostri  Jesu  Christi  * * * The  Body  of  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  * * * 

A body,  weak  and  broken  as  my  own  was,  and  is  to  be,  what  can 
that  do  for  me  ? My  body,  so  misused,  so  offered  in  the  sacrifice 
of  sin,  can  that  be  helped  ? Weil,  You,  too,  have  a body;  You,  too, 
are  a man;  You  came  all  the  way  down  * * * You  know * * * * I 
come  to  You,  I,  still  able  to  offer  You  my  body,  not  fearing  to;  You 
understand*  You  take  it*  And  now  that  I have  finished  with  it,  I 
leave  it  and  its  history  alone;  I don't  attend  to  it*  But  my  soul, 
Jesus ; my  mind  that  still  has  its  horrible  hour  before  it  passes 


i88 


MR.  FRANCIS  NEWNES 

into  the  life  that  no  one  can  tamper  with  ♦ ♦ ♦ Will  you  help 
that  ? 

Custodiat  animam  tuam  : 

I will  mount  sentinel,  O soul,  above  you.  I will  mount  guard. 
And  I will  guard  you,  not  from  outside  you.  Not  from  far  off,  I 
am  within  you;  I am  soul's  soul  for  you.  I am  Life;  I am  your  life. 
You  can  never  die. 

In  vitam  seternam  : Unto  eternal  life. 

Amen. 

* * * * * 

Many  Masses  were  said  for  him  that  day,  else  it  would  have  been 

intolerable  not  to  offer  the  prevailing  Sacrifice  forthwith,  in  those 
very  walls.  But  on  the  next  day  the  Catholics  were  allowed  to 
attend  the  Requiem  in  their  chapel,  a dingy  chapel,  with  mean  walls 
washed  pale  colours,  stencilled  with  monograms,  and  harshly  lit. 
Two  poor  statues  stood  there;  the  Sacred  Heart  and  Mary;  and  over 
the  Altar,  Christ  hung  between  two  thieves. 

But  the  better  for  that  poverty,  the  tremendous  Mystery  revealed 
itself,  undisguised  by  anything  not  itself,  offered  to  souls  undistracted 
by  any  rival  claim. 

I knew  how  they  knelt  there,  men  tired  at  daybreak,  heads  thrown 
back,  eyes  closed,  lips  parted,  forgetting  for  a moment  the  unceasing 
watch,  the  imminent  necessity,  the  relentless  round;  or,  with  eyes 
held  fixed  by  the  twin  tapers ; or,  with  head  huddled  down  on  folded 
arms,  shoulders  bowed  with  the  huge  weight  life  had  laid  on  them. 

Here,  too,  what  the  sight  offered  became  unsubstantial  and  thin; 
all  this  world's  lights  went  out;  across  the  lattice  of  its  illusions  looked 
forth  the  grave  eyes  of  God  whom  even  now,  perhaps,  they  didn't 
understand,  whom  even  now  their  will  was  weak  for  loving ; the 
manner  of  whose  service,  they  could  not  now  foresee.  But  faith 
flickered  there  timid,  yet  unextinguished,  in  the  winds  of  their 
thought,  in  the  mist  of  their  dreams ; hope  lifted  up  hands  faint  from 
the  long  effort  to  close  on  nothingness;  love,  too,  was  there,  a certain 
warmth;  a peace. 

But  already,  at  the  Altar's  foot,  the  priest  stood,  and  bowed  him- 
self straightway  with  the  worshippers,  shouldering  his  sins;  heaving 
on  to  his  shoulders  all  their  sins.  He  beat  his  breast. 

Confiteor  : Lord,  I confess  ! By  my  fault;  my  great,  great  fault. 
He  drew  it  all  to  him,  all  the  whole  world's  sin,  for  there  is  but  one 
Altar  and  one  Mass  in  all  the  world,  and  into  it  all  the  world  is 
gathered. 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES  189 

Gathered  there,  then,  were  all  those  friends,  the  unforgetting 
friends,  warned  of  that  hour  of  sacrifice,  and  kneeling  at  Altar- 
stairs  that  mounted,  in  reality,  towards  this  self-same  Mass,  this 
huge  Mass  that  outstripped  time  and  space;  hither,  unguessing  it, 
rolled  the  effort  and  the  anguish  of  the  great  city  so  near  by,  of 
England,  of  the  world,  and  of  the  hidden  world  that  sent  souls 
flocking  round  the  universal  offering* 

The  priest  mounted  the  steps,  and  read  the  Introit*  Requiem, 
Domine  ; Rest,  Lord,  we  ask  for  these  tired  folks ; Requiem  dona  ; 
the  free  gift  of  rest — we  cannot  earn  it ! Requiem  eeternam  ; eternal 
rest;  for  this  brief  respite  will  not  do  for  them*  Their  work  re- 
begins, work  so  futile,  toil  how  vain  I Te  decet  hymnus,  Deus,  in 
Sion * Song  were  befitting  thee,  Lord,  in  Thy  Holy  Heaven;  but 
these  souls  are  too  tired,  perhaps,  to  sing;  they  prefer  to  ask  Thy 
mercy,  eleison  ; and  again  and  again,  they  ask  it,  eleison  ! Christe, 
Kyrie,  eleison  l 

The  priest  lifts  praying  hands,  and  from  all  the  flocking  souls,  one 
name  is  singled  out:  Thy  servant  Francis;  out  of  all  the  centuries,  all 
the  flocking  millions,  one  name  is  called*  O Creator!  O Redeemer! 
Thy  servant  Francis*  * * ♦ For  all  these  souls,  still  toiling;  for  all 
those  souls  out  there,  whose  work  is  over,  who  have  no  more  work, 
nor  sin,  but  in  whom  the  wounds  of  work  and  sin  still  call  Thy  healing; 
but  for  him,  too,  most  of  all  to-day,  Thy  servant  Francis,  for  whom 
the  day  we  all  have  to  expect  is  come*  * * * This  is  his  day,  dies 
ilia * * * ♦ That  day,  for  him,  is  to-day,  and  was  it  all  of  wrath  ? 
His  book  has  been  brought  forth,  his  v/hole  life  read  through  to  Thee; 
his  whole  life,  all  of  it,  and  therefore,  O Just  Judge,  surely  how  much 
of  good,  of  innocence,  of  joyousness,  of  kindness,  and  of  loneliness 
— how  much  that  may  be  argued  ! Yet  not  he,  nor  I,  will  argue;  not 
I assess — O quid  dicturus  ? Not  I can  judge;  I am  not  Judge*  King 
of  appalling  Majesty,  Salvation  is  Thy  gift,  Thy  gift*  Not  we  put 
mercy  into  Thee;  Thou  art  its  Fountain;  from  Thee  flows  forth 
Salvation;  from  Thee,  the  Saviour;  from  Thee,  Jesus*  You  speak, 
Jesus  ! remember  on  his  behalf  what  we  don't  even  know;  remember 
on  my  behalf  what  even  I,  your  servant  Francis,  shutting  my  eyes 
to  all  else,  do  know — recordare  l That  You  travelled  far  to  seek  me; 
You,  too,  were  tired;  You  came,  You  didn't  hesitate;  You  came  into 
the  horrible  room;  You  came  and  You  sat  beside  me  on  the  stairs; 
You  sat  on  my  bed;  You  kept  with  me  * * * You  had  Your  gallows, 
too*  Tantus  labor  ! O tantum  atque  talem  Redemptorem  I It  can't 
have  all  been  wasted*  Magdalen  You  absolved;  to  the  thief  You 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


190 

promised  Paradise;  and  to  me,  You  gave  hope  * ♦ * better  than 
hope;  You  gave  yourself;  You  were  my  friend;  already,  it  was 
enough* 

And  in  the  Gospel,  Jesus  Himself  spoke,  reassuring  the  soul 
unable  to  believe  in  its  own  comradeship*  Yes,  I have  come*  Yes, 
I am  here*  It's  no  dream,  it's  no  mere  promise,  even*  I am 
Resurrection*  I am  Life  ; you  possess  me,  my  Real  Presence,  and 
though  you  be  dead,  you  live* 

And  the  Priest  offers  the  Bread  and  Wine,  one  Bread  of  many 
grains,  one  cup  of  mingled  drops,  the  water  of  our  weak  humanity 
deluged  in  God's  strong  wine,  eternal  life  from  the  immortal  vine, 
Life  deluging  our  dying;  and  of  His  Divinity  we  are  made  partakers, 
who  in  our  Humanity  did  not  disdain  to  share* 

The  bell,  cool  drops  upon  fevered  souls,  announcing  that  the 
Thrice  Holy,  the  Infinite  and  Ineffable,  must  also  by  us  be  named 
thrice  blessed,  since  He  has  come  so  near  as  to  stand,  see,  at  our  very 
doors;  Himself,  no  more  now  theme  of  hymn  or  scripture,  nor  yet 
a memory,  however  precious,  of  a distant  Palestine  recalled  across 
slow  centuries,  but  at  our  doors,  our  own  doors,  these  prison  doors* 
Not  they  can  keep  Him  out;  the  barriers  fall*  And  again,  the 
eager  bell;  and  again,  and  He  is  here*  You  are  here,  You  are  lifted 
up;  we  see  You;  you  are  lifted,  and  are  drawing  all  men,  all  of  us, 
to  Yourself*  Jesus  Christ,  between  earth  and  heaven,  as  he  saw 
You  himself,  both  earth  and  heaven;  making  the  two,  one;  in  Your- 
self, making  them  one,  and  in  Yourself,  ourselves*  Stooping, 
ascending,  coming  down,  all  the  way  down,  down  to  Your  servant 
Francis;  and  lifting  him  up,  and  us,  since  You,  too,  are  lifted  back* 
You  have  ascended  to  the  God  whom  wTe,  as  You  do,  we,  priest  and 
people,  brothers  and  sisters  of  Yourself,  now  name  Our  Father* 

Pater  Noster ♦ 

God's  Lamb  ! What  did  You  do  with  sin,  when  You  took  it 
away  ? You  took  it  on  Yourself,  into  Yourself,  and  it  died*  You 
died  of  it  Yourself,  and  we  have  to  die  of  it;  and  yet  it  wasn't  death, 
since  death  itself  couldn't  kill  You,  who  are  Life;  and  we  share  Your 
life  and  have  died  to  no  more  than  death*  Finished,  our  struggle; 
over,  the  restlessness;  give  us  Your  peace,  eternal  rest  in  You* 

For  not  alone  in  His  arms  are  we  embraced;  with  Him  we  are 
incorporate;  our  effort,  the  long  ache  and  strain  of  the  whole  world's 
history  mount  up  into  this  enormous  act  of  Mass,  the  adequate 
petition,  the  superabundant  expiation,  the  sufficing  Eucharist,  the 
full  worship,  on  the  part  of  creation,  of  its  God*  Cur  peace,  then, 


MR*  FRANCIS  NEWNES 


191 

is  powerful;  our  rest,  energy;  we  sleep,  but  we  wake;  we  are  in  Him, 
and  He  in  God,  and  They  in  us* 

We  cannot  but  falter,  Lord*  We  are  not  worthy*  Domine, 
Domine , Domine  ; non  sum  dignus * But  who  so  needy,  Lord,  just 
because  so  unworthy  ! We  have  proved,  assuredly,  our  need;  we,  all 
of  us,  who  kneel  still  at  these  steps;  the  friends  who  have  tried  to 
serve  Thy  servant  Francis  for  Thy  sake;  Thy  Barbara;  Thy  Ser- 
geant, and  the  girl  who  with  his  service  has  loved  to  join  her  own; 
the  two  lads,  who  learned  to  be  Thy  heroes;  the  boy,  who  in  the 
whirl  of  all  that  is  not  Thou,  still  worships  Thee*  And  these  who  kneel 
here  at  Thy  Communion  rails,  sinners,  but  absolved,  yet  needing 
Thee  for  the  years  when  Man's  help,  alas,  shall  succour  them  how 
little;  and  Thy  Church  and  Thy  world,  and  Thine  unseen  flocking 
souls  still  in  their  Purgatory,  and  with  them,  perchance.  Thy 
servant  Francis*  * * * O Word  of  God,  utter  Thyself  in  the  souls 
of  all  of  us,  that  our  lives  be  healed. 

We  bow,  and  we,  too,  are  lifted;  Your  arms  lift  us;  to  Your  heart 
you  lift  us;  You  hold  us  there;  You  stoop;  v/e raise  our  faces,  Lord; 
and  lo,  Your  Eyes  upon  our  eyes;  and  upon  our  lips,  Your  kiss* 

So  that  in  us  no  trace  of  sin  remain,  whom  Thy  pure  and  holy 
Sacrament  has  made  Thy  new  Creation* 


Printed  in  England* 


/OC  sS~1 3 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 


3 9031 


01326137  5 


tyl^oLTlf^'O-AuC 


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